The Government has rejected criticism of its plans to impose fines on airlines, hauliers and ferry companies if they are found to be carrying passengers travelling without legal papers.
The Immigration Bill, 2002, which has already completed its passage through the Seanad, will be introduced to the Dáil on Wednesday by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr McDowell.
Under the legislation, transport companies will be fined up to €3,000 if they are found to be carrying any person not in possession of travel papers, or whose papers subsequently turn out to fraudulent.
Yesterday, Green Party MEP Ms Patricia McKenna, and Dún Laoghaire TD Mr Ciarán Cuffe, called on the Minister to accept some "fundamental change" to the legislation by accepting some of their party's amendments.
The calls by the Greens were supported by the Irish Road Haulage Association's spokesperson, Mr Jimmy Quinn, and Ms Rosanna Flynn, chairwoman of the lobby group Residents Against Racism. The changes planned by the Government would mean that the State would draw no distinction between people attempting to enter the Republic illegally for economic reasons and those in genuine need of asylum, said Ms McKenna.
"They are a form of evasion on the part of the State as they shift the burden of responsibility to private companies and individuals who are forced to act as immigration officers without any adequate training."
The legislation comes on foot of the Government's 2002 decision to sign up for extra parts of the Schengen Agreement, which requires that signatory countries return third-country nationals travelling illegally through their territory. The EU agreement also requires that carriers take responsibility for detention costs and the removal of third-country nationals refused entry to a member-state.
Rejecting the criticism, the Minister for Justice last night said the Republic was currently the only EU country that did not fine carriers. "He will be proceeding with the legislation," said his spokeswoman.