Fines to increase for airlines to combat irregular migration - McEntee
Justice Minister Helen McEntee has said an increase in fines for airlines who carry undocumented passengers will reduce the number arriving, but they still have the right to claim asylum once they’re here.
The minister said she intends to increase the fines on carriers from the current maximum of €3,000 to €5,000 per passenger.
The legislation would be enacted before the Dáil’s summer recess, though the date that it would come into effect has yet to be announced.
The Minister intends to bring forward legislation to increase the penalties in the coming weeks as part of a forthcoming Miscellaneous Provisions Bill, which is planned for enactment by the Summer recess.
The Minister has also outlined her intention to bring forward further measures, including guidelines to assist carriers and consideration of the feasibility of a dynamic fines model which recognises carriers who strongly enforce documentation requirements, at a later date.
Speaking today, Minister McEntee said:
“The legislation which provides the obligations for carriers and the level of fines have been unchanged since 2003. After 21 years in operation, I initiated a review to assess whether it remains appropriate and effective in 2024.
“The review has recommended an increase in the level of penalties, and to provide additional supports to carriers to help them ensure that passengers have the correct documentation.
“This is just one element of the reforms I am introducing to deter irregular migration and maintain the integrity of our immigration system.”
Minister McEntee has taken a number of actions to reduce the number of people arriving without documents and strengthen the immigration system as a whole.
These measures include introducing visa requirements to travel to Ireland form a number of additional states and the expedition of International Protection application processing.
Minister McEntee has also provided specific funding for the Garda Airport Liaison Officer programme, and increased resources for the Border Management Unit (BMU) and the International Protection Office.
BMU and GNIB carry out doorstop operations at airplanes to target those who destroyed documents inflight. These are intelligence led operations based on trends observed by immigration officials, who will conduct initial document checks as passengers disembark an aircraft in order to establish a person’s identity and nationality. Over 2,250 doorstep operations have been completed to end April 2024. In addition, An Garda Síochána has prosecuted nearly 100 people in 2024 for arriving without appropriate documentation and a significant number have been imprisoned.
On this point, Minister McEntee continued:
“My Department has been working closely with airlines, providing training and support, to ensure people have the proper documentation at the point of embarkation , and thereby reduce the number of people presenting at a port of entry without valid documentation.
“This continued co-operation is key to upholding the integrity of our immigration system.”