The Government has today published a new immigration Bill which will allow for the fast-tracking of deportations.
The Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010 replaces earlier legislation which was to be redrafted this year.
In a surprise move, Minister for Justice Ahern withdrew that Bill at the end of May after 18 days of debate at committee stage, saying it would be quicker to publish a new one.
The new legislation is intended to provide a framework for the development and implementation of Government immigration policies and draw together a number of laws on migration and protection of refugees.
Among the provisions included in the new Bill, which is expected to be introduced before autumn, is the fast-tracking of asylum procedures and appeals.
The new Bill has a provision enabling the Minister for Justice to disregard so-called "marriage of conveniences," where individuals have been found to have married so that one or both of them can stay in the country.
It also includes changes covering the dependents of long-term residents, enabling them to have certain benefits previously not allowed. There are also alternatives to arrest and detention of some non-Irish nationals found to be in the country illegally and changes to the types of benefits and services they are entitled to.
Also included are new rules enabling the collection of biometric data on individuals. The Bill also extends the period of time allowed for victims of trafficking to recover from 45 to 60 days.
Announcing the publication today, Mr Ahern said the Bill takes into account many of the concerns expressed during the Dáil debates on the 2008 Bill, but added that it was "a new Bill in name only."
"It essentially retains the structures and objectives of the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2008, which has undergone an extensive consideration in the Dáil," he said.
"Given the large number of amendments for report stage, I sought and received Government approval to publish the amendments by way of a new Bill. I believe, following discussions with Opposition justice spokespersons, that the introduction of the amendments in this manner will better facilitate debate and help to progress passage of the Bill," he added.
The text of the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010 and the accompanying Explanatory Memorandum are on the Oireachtas website www.oireachtas.ie.
