Written answers
Tuesday, 18 February 2025
Department of Justice and Equality
Immigration Status
Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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519. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of those from whom immigration status was revoked from as a result of a criminal conviction in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5544/25]
Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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520. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of non-EU nationals who had their visas revoked as a result of involvement in criminality in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5545/25]
Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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521. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of removal orders in respect of non-EU nationals who had their visas revoked as a result of involvement in criminal activity in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5546/25]
Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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522. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of removal orders under the European Communities Free Movement of persons regulations 2015 in respect of EU nationals who represented a danger for public policy or public security where their conduct represented a genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat affecting one of the fundamental interests of society in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5547/25]
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 519, 520, 521 and 522 together.
It is a central priority for me as Minister that our immigration laws are robust and enforced. The removal of persons in the immigration system who are involved in criminality or who are a danger to society is an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that our people have confidence in the application of our laws in this area.
Under Section 3 of the Immigration 1999, as amended, a Deportation Order may be issued on a number of grounds, including:
- under Section 3(2)(a,) a person who has served or is serving a term of imprisonment imposed on him or her by a court in the State,
- under Section 3(2)(b), a person whose deportation has been recommended by a court in the State before which such person was indicted for or charged with any crime or offence,
- under Section 3(2)(i), a person whose deportation would, in the opinion of the Minister, be conducive to the common good.
The information sought regarding the number of Deportation Orders made on grounds of criminality is not collated in the manner requested by the Deputy. The table below details the number of deportation orders signed in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Table 1: Deportation Orders signed in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|
Deportation Order Signed | 546 | 857 | 2,403 |
The European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015 provide at 20(2)(1) that a Removal Order can be made in respect of European citizens or their family members who represent a danger to public policy or public security by reason of the fact that his or her personal conduct represents a genuine, present and sufficiently serious threat affecting one of the fundamental interests of society.
The table below details the number of orders which have been made under the European Communities (free movement of persons) Regulations 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Table 2: Removals made under the European Communities (free movement of persons) Regulations 2022, 2023 and 2024
EU Removals | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
Removal Orders signed | 58 | 19 | 24 |
The information sought regarding the revocation of visas and immigration permissions is not collated in the manner requested by the Deputy. Applications for visas and immigration permission are considered on a case-by-case basis and can be refused on a number of grounds. However, it is not possible to provide a further breakdown on the number of applications refused due to criminality. Where criminality is identified in this context and permission to remain refused, my Department then take steps to activate the process of making a deportation order as outlined above.
The removal of persons who are involved criminality and those who are a danger to society is a priority for me as Minister, my Department and the Garda Commissioner. My officials work closely with members of An Garda Síochána and the Irish Prison Service to ensure high risk persons are prioritised for removal from Ireland.
My Department has taken action to improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. A charter service for deportation flights is now in place and the first flights will take place in the coming months. Charter flights will significantly increase capacity to conduct more enforced deportations. Alongside this, enforced deportations are continuing on commercial flights.
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