More than 4,000 people to be refused entry to Ireland this year

More than 4,000 people are set to have been refused leave to land in Ireland this year, higher than in any of the past six years, Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has confirmed.

Speaking in the Dáil, Ms Fitzgerald said: “It should be noted that the overwhelming majority of persons who arrive at the frontiers of the State without permission to enter or reside here are refused leave to land, without ever reaching the stage where they would be considered under the deportation process.

“Indeed, this figure has risen substantially to almost 3,500 last year (2015) and is expected to exceed 4,000 this year.”

Ms Fitzgerald also said some people “voluntarily remove themselves before a deportation order is made”.

However, organisations representing refugees have called for greater transparency about the number of people refused leave to land.

A spokesperson for the Irish Refugee Council told the Irish Examiner: “People from refugee-producing countries such as Syria, Eritrea, and Afghanistan were refused leave to land in Ireland last year.

“Given the countries of origin involved, and the potential for a protection need arising, there is a serious need for transparency and independent oversight at our borders, to ensure that people who do express fears of persecution or serious harm in their country of origin are properly facilitated in exercising their right to seek protection.”