Deportation orders have gone up by around 160%, the Minister for Justice has said. 

With polling day just eight days away, The Hard Shoulder organised a debate for candidates to discuss immigration, crime and prison reform.

Representing Fine Gael, Helen McEntee said the country needs an immigration system that is “firm but fair”. 

“Deportation orders signed in the last year alone have gone up about 160%,” she said. 

“Enforced deportations are a small percentage of that because, actually, voluntary returns account for a huge amount. 

“So, there’s about 840 people this year who have left the State - many of them voluntarily. 

“That’s not a shake of the hand and a wave goodbye; they’re bought plane tickets and they’re sent home.” 

Minister McEntee added that when a failed asylum seeker informs the Department of Justice they have left the country, officials will often carry out a “signs of life” check afterwards. 

“Are people on social welfare? Are they getting any form of benefits? Are they looking for housing?” she said. 

“You can generally get a sense if someone is here or not because it’s very difficult to live in this country without any form of support or any types of checks.” 

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín claimed the Government’s asylum policy was “one of biggest frustrations in the country at the moment”. 

“The Government have been absolutely asleep at the wheel in relation to this,” he said. 

“98 people out of 1,750 last year who received deportation order actually had that deportation order enforced. 

“650 of those had what is called a ‘voluntary deportation’. 

“When I’ve asked the Minister for Justice before, can she check if those individuals have left the country, she said she cannot confirm if those individuals have left the country.” 

East-west cooperation

Minister McEntee chipped in and said they cannot be sure because of the “open border” with Northern Ireland. 

“You want to put a border down the Irish Sea - is this really your solution to migration?” she asked. 

Deputy Tóibín claimed an immigration border down the Irish Sea would “suit the London Government”. 

“The solution is, in my view, that we treat Ireland as a unit, north and south,” he said. 

“In the same way now that we do for goods because of the Brexit issue. 

“We should negotiate with the Labour Government in London to see if we can come to an accommodation of these terms.” 

Minister McEntee replied that she was unsure “what rock you’ve been living under”.

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Main images shows Justice Minister Helen McEntee. Image: Newstalk