1,100 deportation orders issued so far this year

Deportations are a “horrible thing” but are necessary for Ireland’s immigration system to remain “credible,” an MEP has insisted.

Almost 1,100 asylum seekers have received deportation orders in the first half of 2024, according to figures obtained by The Irish Times – some 16% more than in the whole of 2023.

Meanwhile, as of July, 65 people had been forcibly removed from the State this year – 13 more than in all of last year.

The paper reports that plans to charter planes to forcibly remove people handed deportation orders are now at “an advanced stage”.

On The Pat Kenny Show, Ireland South MEP Michael McNamara acknowledged the significant increase compared to 2023.

“When I asked a parliamentary question as a TD, it was 857 deportation orders issued in 2023, and only 52 of those were effected,” he said.

“The [Justice] Minister, partly because of COVID, but also for other reasons best known to herself, stopped enforcing deportation orders—and that became a problem.”

Mr McNamara said deportation is a “horrible thing.”

“It's forcibly removing someone from the State - someone who came here hoping for a better life - and they're being forcibly removed,” he said.

“But I suppose for the system to be credible, it has to happen.

“It’s also supposed to come at the end of a very detailed consideration of the person's family situation [and] the links they've built up in the State and of course, the longer the process takes, the more links there will be.”

The independent MEP noted that there are challenges in dealing with certain countries whose nationals face deportation.

“Some states don’t cooperate much with the Irish State in deportations, because people may not have travel documents and may not be willing to cooperate,” he said.

“Travel documents have to be issued by the state to which they're being returned.

He said the enforcement of deportation orders dropped when the current Government came to power.

“It would seem that people became aware of that, and Ireland perhaps became a more attractive destination as a result,” he said.

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[Frankabagnale]

1100 orders but 0 actually leave. Ireland has a policy of “Self deportation”. Which is a complete joke. Banana republic without the rule of law.

[UserUser]

1100 is nothing but a drop in the ocean.

[brianbeag]

If these migrants have a genuine case for asylum they must surely have a passport or documentation of proof of country of origin which they will have needed to board a flight or a ferry. Michael O’Leary has stated that his check-in staff are now required to photograph their ID and forward this to the Border Management Unit. The government should enforce this practice with all airlines and ferries flying and sailing to Ireland. They should also obtain a similar agreement for UK travel to NI. This should in the first instance stop the migrants destroying their documentation and make it easier and quicker to return them to their country of origin. But this will need a stronger determination by the government to ditch their current policy of placing allegedly distressed migrants ahead of the welfare of their own citizens needs and a realisation that the country does not have the infrastructure for unlimited migration. And, if it’s not too late they must not opt in to the new EU Asylum and Immigration Pact.

[usernextuser]

Poland sends a Polish air force plane to England every week to pick up Polish people who are wanted by the Polish authorities. Can we follow their example of how to get things done.

[josephmurphy]

The 'state' have been doing this for years, but nobody walks. The only place they walk is down O'Connell street.👹

[peterrabbit]

600 are arriving per week. 1100 is nothing🤣

[HughHuston]

Window dressing, give us the number who have actually been deported??

[ogbmhll]

Nobody forces anyone to move. They are asked to self deport 😅😂

[chrisdalton]

But HOW MANY illegals were ACTUALLY escorted off this small island?

[yagsipcc]

Should be 10k ever 6 months at a minimum. There are hundreds of thousands of people in this country illegally

[arturk]

And when they don't 5 years later citizenship and next 15years disability payment!

[EddyGarvey-wsky]

What a Joke what's stopping them from doing again?

[AindriuMacGiollaEoin]

Stronger border checks and a national ID card

[jacobking]

But how many have actually been deported or will be? Are they just trying to give an impression that something is being done about immigration? How many have heard this rhetoric before and believe it ?

[Princesswarrior]

This country is a laughing stock.dont no what to say anymore !!!!

[GavanHogan]

My opinion of Michael McNamara has gone down. I wish that I voted for someone else.

[fairHev]

They'll be back on the boat a week later 😅

[gerrardlawless]

Why is it a horrible thing when most people think it' not a good

[joangrennan]

Amazing what the fear of a general election can do .

[KarenTookTheKids]

Its a conspiracy theory but its also a good thing and if you talk about it you go to prison.