Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I asked that question too when I saw the figure 14. The interesting point is that it has been there from the beginning. Increasingly, the move is towards having exchange of fingerprint information regarding all citizens. It has been in Eurodac from the beginning, so it is not a new provision. It is a long-standing provision and it was there when we first opted in. The Article states that each member state shall promptly take the fingerprints of all fingers of every applicant for international protection of at least 14 years of age as soon as possible and no later than 72 hours after the lodging of his or her application for international protection as defined by the relevant Article 20.2.2 and transmit them, together with the data referred to, as part of the regulation to the central system. That is automatic. It can be protective of people as well, for countries dealing with people who want to go through the process and are refugees. This exchange is already in place under Eurodac.