Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests for their presentations here this afternoon. In relation to the Eurodac, last week the Department officials spoke about the Eurodac system as if we would not continue to be part of the system if we did not sign up to this pact. This is misinformation. If we reject the migration pact, we will continue to operate within this system. We already operate within this system. I wonder why that is being stated at this time. Is it some sort of shock statement to the public that if we do not have access to this Eurodac system, we will not know who is coming onto our shores when we all know that everybody who arrives on our shores at present, if they present themselves to the IPAS office, but only then, are fingerprinted, their ID is gathered and their photo is taken? We have access to the Eurodac system and the Europol system within our current legislation. I just want to find out about that Eurodac system at this moment in time.