Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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376. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality whether she is aware of any concerted pattern or practice whereby drivers in a company (details supplied) or other taxis are being hired to bring asylum seekers from Northern Ireland to Dublin; the steps that are being taken to monitor such practices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28921/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department has responsibility for front-line immigration duties at Dublin Airport only. Other airports and other ports of entry, including the land border with Northern Ireland, are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).

Ireland and the United Kingdom share a long history and common interest in the effective operation of the Common Travel Area (CTA), and work together to prevent any abuses of the CTA. There is extensive engagement and cooperation at all levels between my Department’s officials and their Home Office counterparts, as well as significant operational cooperation between the Gardaí, UK Border Force, UK policing services and the Police Service of Northern Ireland. This strong practical engagement and cooperation serves the mutual interests of both Ireland and the United Kingdom, and will continue.

Maintaining the integrity of the immigration system, involves robust controls to prevent illegal entry. In 2021 our legislation was strengthened to combat people smuggling both into Ireland and into other countries (including EU Member States and parties to the UN Protocol against people smuggling). The Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Act 2021 widened the range of scenarios covered by our laws, including intentionally assisting entry, transit or presence where the person knows or has reasonable cause to believe that it is in breach of specified immigration law provisions. An Garda Síochána is responsible for assessing and investigating any possible breaches of these or other laws.

An Garda Síochána work closely with their international counterparts on these matters with a concentrated focus on tackling the facilitation of illegal immigration. I am advised that Operation Sonnet forms part of the ongoing work undertaken by members of GNIB in this regard.

The objective of Operation Sonnet is to tackle abuse of the CTA, with a focus on the movement of people between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. During the overt element of Operation Sonnet, GNIB Officers operate checkpoints and vehicle stops in order to conduct immigration checks on passengers travelling by means of both public and private transport from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland. Detailed operational aspects of these activities are matters for the Garda authorities.

Since 1 October 2023, An Garda Síochána have detected 199 people illegally entering the State via Northern Ireland. These persons detected in buses and taxis have been refused leave to land and removed from the State.

Finally, the Common Travel Area Forum (CTAF) acts as a steering committee for the ongoing work of protecting the CTA in relation to free movement of its citizens between both countries while at the same time ensuring that the CTA is not abused by those not entitled to avail of it. The Forum meets twice yearly but also meets in sub-group format to address particular elements of Ireland/UK co-operation, bringing together relevant subject matter expertise in various areas.