Barry Cowen TD, and Fianna Fáil European Election Candidate in the Midlands North West, is demanding that the Department of Justice finally start to enforce immigration laws.
Deputy Cowen says sections 21, 52 and 72A of the International Protection Act 2015 allow for the deportation of migrants if their applications for asylum are rejected, but the Department is not forcing them to leave the country.
A total of 957 deportation orders were signed in 2023, but only 17 people were removed under various processes, including 52 people by enforced deportation order. As of the end of February this year, there were 174 deportation orders issued, with just 12 enforced orders.
Speaking today, Deputy Cowen said: “There are several pieces of legislation in the statute books that are not being enforced by the Department of Justice.
“If someone applies for asylum and is rejected, there is a period where they can appeal and if that appeal is unsuccessful, they should be sent back to their country of origin. But only a tiny number of people are being forced to leave.
“It’s sending a message that if you come here and apply for asylum, even if you get rejected you don’t get sent back, you get to stay.
“This is despite the fact that the Department had the necessary powers to enforce these laws - they can’t be brought to the High Court or questioned.
“If the Department of Justice had taken control of the situation and enforced the statute, then the immigration issue wouldn't be escalating to crisis levels that we are now witnessing. I am calling on the Department of Justice and indeed the Minister to enforce the laws of the state and to do so in an efficient and effective manner,” concluded Deputy Cowen.
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