In the face of record-breaking illegal immigration, Ireland has raised the maximum fines for airlines and ferry companies for the first time in twenty years, aiming to ensure better compliance with their obligations and to ensure passengers have valid documents upon entry. This move is part of the authorities’ further measures to tighten border controls.
On the other hand, EU countries are passing the buck over the refugee issue. The Department of Justice revealed that over the past four years, Ireland has sent nearly 3,000 notifications to other EU countries requesting the return of asylum seekers who should have received protection locally, but less than 1% has been successfully repatriated.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee announced that starting from August 12, airlines and ferry companies will face fines of up to 5,000 euros if passengers arrive without valid identification documents. The previous maximum fine was 3,000 euros.
The Department of Justice stated that this is the first time in twenty-one years that Ireland has increased this penalty. Since 2003, legislation has required carriers to ensure that arriving passengers possess valid travel documents proving their identity and nationality, as well as the necessary visas.
The increase in fines aims to ensure that carriers fulfill their obligations and considers inflation over the years, as well as to align Ireland’s penalties with other European countries.
McEntee emphasized in a press release, “Carriers such as airlines and ferry companies play a crucial role in protecting and maintaining our borders, and they have a duty to ensure that passengers have the necessary valid passports, identity documents, and visas to enter Ireland.”
The Minister further expressed, “I will provide additional support to carriers to help them fulfill their obligations. This ongoing cooperation is key to maintaining the integrity of our immigration system, ensuring protection for those in need, and swiftly returning unauthorized individuals to their home countries.”
The Department of Justice has allocated special funds for police operations at airport offices and increased resources for the Border Management Unit and the International Protection Office processing refugee applications.
In recent years, Ireland has seen a record number of asylum seekers seeking refuge in this Western European country. Asylum applications in 2022 increased by over 400% compared to 2021, reaching 12,600; in 2023, there were 13,200 applications. Authorities predict that asylum applications this year could rise to 20,000, not including the 100,000 Ukrainian refugees fleeing conflict.
Overflowing shelters and continuous protests against illegal immigration have made the surge in refugees one of Ireland’s most pressing social and political issues. Authorities are trying to prevent illegal immigrants from entering by tightening border control measures. Data released by the Department of Justice in June showed that 3,285 airline passengers arrived without proper documentation last year, with nearly all of them applying for asylum; this number was slightly lower than the 2022 figure of 4,968 individuals.
In cases where arriving passengers face document issues, the government issues carriers with “carrier responsibility” fines. According to the Garda National Immigration Bureau, airline companies received over 1.48 million euros in carrier responsibility fines in the first 11 months of 2023, surpassing the total fines for the entire year of 2022, which amounted to 1.1 million euros.
Additionally, the authorities are expediting the deportation of unsuccessful asylum applicants. As of mid-July, 1,067 deportation orders were issued, reflecting a 128% increase compared to the same period last year. The government is also pushing forward with charter flight plans to accelerate deportations.
However, progress in returning refugees to other EU countries has been slow. Data released by the Department of Justice recently showed that from January 2020 to April 2024, Ireland issued 2,758 return orders to other EU countries requesting the return of asylum seekers who should have received protection locally, but only 31 individuals were successfully returned.
Under the Dublin Regulation, immigrants can only submit one asylum application and must do so in the first EU country they enter. In reality, some refugees move to other countries where their family or friends reside, or submit asylum applications again in another country due to better work or welfare conditions. The Department of Justice admits that the Dublin Regulation is largely ineffective.
Statistics from the Department of Justice show that in the past five years, Ireland has received 626 “requests for responsibility to accept and take charge” from other EU countries. Ireland agreed to take responsibility for 182 individuals, but only 54 were returned.