A total of 39 Georgian nationals were returned on the flight which left Dublin Airport on Wednesday night and landed in Tbilisi, Georgia Thursday morning.

They were accompanied on the flight by Garda personnel, medical staff, an interpreter and a human rights observer, the Department of Justice said.

A previous charter flight in February removed 32 people to Georgia.

Commenting on the latest operation, justice minister Jim O’Callaghan said: “Stepping up enforcement and securing our borders is a central commitment of mine.

“Swift and fair returns of people whose applications have been refused is the foundation of any modern rules-based immigration process.

“If people wish to move to Ireland, they must do so using the appropriate legal pathways. Removal operations send a clear message that our laws are to be respected and underscores this government’s intention to protect the integrity of our immigration system.

“I want to thank the members of An Garda Síochána and my officials for their continued work to ensure that if a person is ordered to leave the country, that they do so.

“There will be further charter operations to ensure a faster and more efficient removal system.

He added: “It is also important to note that many members of the Georgian community are legally in the State. They contribute to the economy and the cultural and social fabric of our society.

“They are welcome here and we thank them for their contribution.”

The government says charter flights are used in addition to commercial flights and can be more appropriate in circumstances where a group of people are being removed to the same destination.

The two operations which have taken place this year were conducted under a contract signed by the State last November for the provision of charter aircraft for these purposes.

Access to these services has significantly increased the capacity of An Garda Síochána to enforce deportation orders, the Department said, and further operations “are expected as the year progresses”.

The government insists enforced removals are carried out as a measure of last resort when the person concerned has not removed themselves from the State or availed of assisted voluntary return measures.

Mr O’Callaghan said: “Before a deportation order is made, the person is offered assistance to return home voluntarily — this is the preferred option.

“In addition to enforced removals, my Department is achieving significant increases in the number of people leaving voluntarily and I am asking those who are given this opportunity to avail of it.”

Junior minister Colm Brophy said: “A modern firm migration policy will have as its central message, that if you do not leave voluntarily when told, you will be deported. Today’s flight is part of underscoring that fact.

“Regular deportation flights are absolutely essential to my commitment of ensuring that those who have a legal right to be in the state are able to do so, and those who do not, will be removed.

“I want to thank members of An Garda Síochána for their ongoing excellent work, and to make it clear that this flight will form part of an ongoing process of deportations for people who do not have a right to remain in the State.”