Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2025
593. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number and roles of professionals present on board, including medical staff, child protection professionals, psychological or trauma support personnel, independent observers, and Gardaí or private security contractors, for each of the deportation flights carried out to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32032/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am fully committed to ensuring that Ireland’s immigration system is robust and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively.
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.
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.
No officials from my Department have travelled with these charter flights. The operational management of all escorted removals, including charters, are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB); this includes issues related to child safety.
I can assure the Deputy that significant planning and consideration is given to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the people being removed. Prior to any removal, members of GNIB conduct a risk assessment for the safety of those travelling. In addition to Garda personnel, the returnees on the three charter flights were accompanied by two medical staff - a doctor and an advanced paramedic. A flight manager was also present on each flight to liaise with the ground handling operation in Dublin and the destination.
I can also advise the Deputy, that my Department has secured the services of independent Human Rights Observers. An Observer was on board both flights to Georgia. For the charter flight to Nigeria the Observer was present in Dublin Airport to monitor the operation prior to departure of the charter flight on 04 June 2025 and meet with returnees including the families concerned. However, due to technical reasons outside the control of my Department, the Observer was not able to accompany the flight to Lagos. The Observer has been debriefed by a nominated Garda escort on the operation of the flight.
I recognise that an enforced removal can be a challenging experience, particularly for families, which is why they are carried out as a measure of last resort, when the person or family concerned has not removed themselves from the State. I can advise the Deputy that children have only been returned as part of family units. The children and their mothers were not detained in advance of their removal.
It is the preferred option to return people voluntarily and my Department has a voluntary return programme to assist people to return prior to the issuance of a deportation order. It is important to note that a person can only avail of voluntary return before a deportation order is issued. People are strongly encouraged to avail of this option when offered and are informed of it at each stage of the International Protection process or in other circumstances where is likely that they will be the subject of a Deportation Order.
