Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that border exit checks for individuals issued with deportation orders are not “feasible.”
Speaking to Gript outside Government Buildings ahead of this week’s Cabinet meeting, the Fianna Fáil leader said the current system does not include exit checks between the Republic and Northern Ireland, and that implementing them would not be practical.
“We don’t have exit checks at the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic,” he said.
“Nor is it feasible to do so.”
Martin was responding to calls from Ministers of State Noel Grealish and Sean Canney for greater enforcement of deportation orders, including the collection of exit data and the introduction of border checks to determine whether individuals actually leave the State after being ordered to do so.
Asked if the Government should begin recording whether deported individuals leave the country, the Taoiseach said more data would be sought on the issue.
“A lot of people when they come to the attention of the authorities, they may voluntarily leave,” he said.
“But I think we will always seek for data in respect of this issue. And I know that the Minister will be pursuing further avenues to collate and to get accurate and precise data on that question.”
His comments follow remarks from Independent TDs Grealish and Canney on Tuesday morning, who both expressed support for the introduction of exit checks at the border.
“If we’re to manage the immigration system, we need to know and have the knowledge of who’s here,” said Canney.
“Where people are, and all of that. So I think it’s important that that information is made available.”
Grealish added that he believed it was “right” for those given deportation orders to leave the country.
“That information should be made available to the Minister,” he said.
“So hopefully that will happen soon.”
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan recently confirmed that his Department is unable to say how many people actually leave Ireland after being issued a deportation order, as no exit checks are currently in place.
“It is not possible to accurately provide the number of people who are currently in Ireland subject to deportation orders,” he said in response to a parliamentary question from Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy.
While 739 people have been officially recorded as having left the State after receiving deportation orders since 2020, a total of 6,703 deportation orders were issued over the same period. This means the State cannot confirm whether the individual actually left in around 90% of cases.
O’Callaghan said that a sample review by the Garda National Immigration Bureau suggested that “a very significant number” of deported individuals appeared to have left the country without informing authorities.
“Deportations are costly and complex to enforce,” he said.
“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.”
He added that remaining in the country after a deportation order is issued is a criminal offence.
“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.”
The number of deportation orders issued in 2024 rose to 2,403 — an increase of more than 180% compared to the previous year.
O’Callaghan has described enforcement of these orders as a “central priority” for his Department.