Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he has taken to resolve ongoing difficulties in respect of the time delays in the processing of queues at passport control at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7701/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Arrangements for disembarking passengers at Dublin Airport currently do not allow for the separation of passengers from domestic flights within the State and those arriving on flights originating outside the State. Consequently, all arriving passengers must pass through immigration controls to ensure that those persons who, by law, require the permission of an immigration officer to enter the State are subject to the proper controls.

The allocation of immigration personnel at Dublin Airport is designed to have the maximum number of staff on duty during peak periods. Every effort is made by immigration officers to exercise their function as speedily as possible but there may be occasions when delays will occur. A high number of flights within a contracted arrivals time period, and the consequent increased passenger numbers within these peak times, can impact on queuing times over these periods.

While the immigration authorities at Dublin Airport have no control over the number of flights or their arrival times, management in the Garda National Immigration Bureau is engaged on an ongoing basis with all the stakeholders at Dublin Airport to ensure that passport controls are carried out in an efficient manner so as to ensure that waiting times are kept to a minimum.

Staffing levels at Dublin Airport and all ports of entry to the State are kept under ongoing review by Garda management and recent additional resources, including management personnel, were allocated specifically to Dublin Airport. Apart from the management personnel, local supervisors liaise with the customer service staff of the Dublin Airport Authority on an ongoing basis, both on an informal — daily on each tour of duty — and formal level — weekly and monthly — at senior management level.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The person who prepared that reply for the Minister, and the Minister having read it, display no understanding of what is happening at Dublin Airport. Since before Christmas, a serious situation has developed that is damaging business, trade and tourism and the ordinary movement of people in the State, with queues of up to two hours duration at the principal airport. Will the Minister at least look into the matter to see what can be done to resolve an intolerable situation that cannot continue?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I have inquired about this with the Garda Commissioner on many occasions and I am conscious people are having difficultly. There is an industrial relations issue concerning a meal allowance that has been withdrawn but extra staff have been put into Dublin Airport. There are now 142 gardaí, with 15 more arriving recently, although I accept there has been a detrimental impact on perception on occasion.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Perception?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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On other occasions, I know for a fact and I discussed this with my officials before we came in here, people have come through the airport and said there were no particular difficulties. I monitor the situation to find anecdotal evidence and I accept it happens on occasion.

I have raised the issue and have indicated to my officials that I would be open to looking at other ways of dealing with this issue, even by privatising control at Dublin Airport. The 142 full-time gardaí who are there on a regular basis are a resource that could be used elsewhere. I am looking at all options, have discussed them with my staff and have indicated to the Garda Commissioner that we will consider them.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his reply, which was a far more informative response than his initial reply. My only regret is that the Minister had to be provoked into making such a reply.

I am not sure about privatisation but I suggest the Minister considers civilianisation of the process, where immigration officers need not be fully-fledged gardaí. Perhaps, however, there would be Garda aid or at least a supplementary Garda force. The Minister might consider immigration personnel from the civilian community.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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All those options, including civilianisation, will be examined. I have an open mind on these issues, which I have discussed with my officials. Primarily, however, there are gardaí involved who are doing a good job.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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A good job, but a slow job.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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They have the resources and the Garda Commissioner has dedicated more resources because of the anecdotal evidence.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I am amazed at the Minister's comments regarding privatisation in the context of the forthcoming immigration Bill and the significant discretionary powers that are being given to immigration officers at our ports and airports. Will the Minister elaborate on the implications of those powers being given to non-members of An Garda Síochána?

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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My view is that the civilianisation of the booths could happen quite easily with oversight by a number of gardaí.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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That is different to privatisation.

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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That is another option. I am open to all options, particularly in the context of the desire to have as many gardaí doing normal Garda duties on the streets, including fighting crime which, as I have said many times, is my first priority.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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There is no point in letting them come into ports and airports either.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I welcome that, Minister. We will be watching.