Written answers
Tuesday, 17 June 2025
Department of Justice and Equality
Deportation Orders
Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context
605. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the State has a policy of issuing deportation orders against non-nationals on completion of a prison sentence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32078/25]
Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context
I understand the Deputy has clarified that she is referring to non-EEA/UK citizens and also those who have acquired Irish citizenship through the citizenship/naturalisation process.
I am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based. 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.
A deportation order is a legal order to leave the State. Any person who has been ordered to leave the State and fails to do so, within the timeframe issued with the deportation order, is committing a criminal offence and can be arrested without warrant if they come into contact with An Garda Síochána. Such an order remains on the person’s record permanently, unless revoked – it means they may not enter Ireland again in future.
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.
My Department has taken action to significantly improve immigration enforcement measures and increase removals. The number of deportation orders signed in 2024 (2,403) increased by 180% compared to 2023 (857). This year 2,113 deportation orders have been signed up to 13 June 2025.
Last year, 1,116 people departed from the State under various mechanisms (i.e. enforced deportation, voluntary return etc.), an increase of 252% compared to 2023 (317). This year 939 persons have had their departure confirmed through these pathways up to 13 June 2025.
So far in 2025, three charter flight operations have removed 106 people who were subject to deportation orders from the State with a further 58 removed on commercial airlines. Further charter operations and removals on commercial aircraft will be conducted as the year progresses.
Finally, I can advise the Deputy that deportation orders are not made in respect of Irish citizens. The revocation of Irish citizenship granted by naturalisation is a separate process. Revocation of Irish citizenship is only undertaken in the most serious of circumstances, where citizenship has been obtained fraudulently or when an individual poses a serious risk or threat to the State.
No comments