The State needs to act if failed asylum seekers refuse to leave, the Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney has said.
It comes amid reports that the Government is considering running charter flights to deport people who have failed in their asylum applications.
It is understood a tender has been put out by the Department of Justice for the service.
Asked if the Government was considering charter flights, Minister Coveney told The Hard Shoulder the system has to be fair.
"What the Government is of course considering is trying to differentiate between people who come here and claim asylum, and who are successful in that process, versus people who aren't," he said.
"If people want to come and work in Ireland they need to go through the proper system of applying for a visa or a work permit or both.
"Last year there were 38,000 applications for work permits, we granted 31,000 of those.
"Half of those people were newly coming to Ireland, the other half were renewals, so we have a very active system to come to Ireland to work here.
"But we have got to differentiate, and we've got to do it in a more streamlined and more efficient way, between people who are genuinely fleeing conflict... and people who aren't".
'I hope they will be small numbers'
Minister Coveney said while self-deportation is effective, further measures may be required.
"The majority can leave of their own volition, some may not leave and therefore may need to be deported - I hope they will be small numbers," he said.
"But I think if we are to be honest with ourselves in terms of a system that works, then we have to ensure that it is fair to everybody.
"So, if you are not successful in the asylum application process then you do need to leave.
"If you refuse to leave the State needs to act on that," he added.
Minister Coveney said that he believes inward migration is a 'really good thing' for Ireland, with 500,000 non-Irish born people working here.
It comes as two more states - Botswana and Algeria - have been added to Ireland's 'safe country' list in a bid to crack down on the numbers arriving here seeking International Protection.
A safe country is defined as a one where, on the basis of the legal situation, there is generally no persecution, torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
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