There were more than three times as many gardaí as deportees on a half-full flight to Pakistan, even though it included just one person wiht a serious criminal conviction.
Internal notes from the Department of Justice show that the deportation operation in September cost €474,000 and involved only 24 failed asylum seekers.
Three of the persons on board had “minor offences” on their record but were never sent to jail, while one had a serious criminal conviction from the UK.
The notes show that 79 members of An Garda Síochana were on board, an average of 3.3 per deportee,and also a doctor,a paramedic,a translator,and a human rights monitor.
The average bill for each deportee was around €20,000, as the department said in a statement that such operations were “costly and complex to enforce.”
They said charter flights increased the options and capacity available to gardaí and that staffing arrangements were a policing matter.
A statement said: “[The Garda National Immigration Bureau] conducts a risk assessment for the safety of those travelling. This informs the number of personnel involved.”
the department said the cost of what they called ‘Operation Toboggan’ had been €473,000 with a further €1,120 spent on catering costs.
They were not able to provide details of staffing or overtime costs incurred by An Garda in sending 79 officers on the flight to Islamabad.
an internal note said the Airbus A330 used had 256 seats available but travelled less than half full on the seven-and-a-half-hour flight to pakistan.
The note said there were no family groups involved and that the 24 deportees ranged from 23 to 66 years in age.
Their average time in the State was nine years and three months with 10 living in IPAS centres and 14 in private accommodation.
A note for Minister Jim O’Callaghan added: “References to the [charter] contract costing the State €5 million relate to the potential value of the contract over the lifespan of the contract.
“The term of the contract is three years with a possibility to extend it twice by one year, a potential lifespan of five years in total.”
A separate internal briefing note on ‘operation Void’ to remove 23 Romanian nationals is also understood to be with the Department.
Jim O’Callaghan Announces Bid for Taoiseach
Labor Party TD Jim O’Callaghan has officially announced his candidacy for Taoiseach, throwing his hat into the ring as a potential leader of the country.The Dublin Bay South representative made the announcement earlier today, outlining his vision for Ireland’s future.
O’Callaghan, a prominent figure in the Labour Party, is positioning himself as a candidate who can bridge divides and offer a fresh outlook on key issues facing the nation. While details of his full platform are still emerging, he is expected to focus on areas such as housing, healthcare, and economic chance.
This move sets the stage for a potentially competitive leadership race within the Labour Party and broader political landscape. Further details regarding his campaign and policy proposals are anticipated in the coming days.
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, a human rights monitor, a translator, and a medical team. The individuals subject to deportation collectively faced 565 criminal charges while residing in Ireland.
### Government Justification for Deportation
A spokesperson for the Department of Justice emphasized the government’s commitment to a “rules-based and efficient” immigration system. They stated that enforcing immigration laws,including the removal of individuals refused permission to remain,is “an essential requirement for the immigration system to work effectively and to ensure that the public has confidence in the request of our laws in this area.” BreakingNews.ie
### Public Concern Over Costs
The specific cost of the deportation flights has been a point of contention, fueling public debate.While the exact figures were not disclosed in the initial reports, the scale of the operation – with 80 Gardaí and accompanying personnel – suggests a significant financial outlay.This has prompted questions about the cost-effectiveness of deportation compared to other potential solutions, such as rehabilitation programs or option forms of detention.### Minister O’Callaghan’s priorities
Minister Jim O’Callaghan has consistently prioritized a robust and legally sound immigration system. The Department of justice’s statement underscores this commitment, highlighting the importance of enforcing existing laws and maintaining public trust in the immigration process.
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