Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 168: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make contact with the Dublin Airport Authority to ensure sufficient space is made available for immigration processing to cope with an increase in new carriers from the United States as a result of the Open Skies deal; and if he will ensure that sufficient immigration resources are allocated to prevent undue delays to passengers. [12332/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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Senior Garda management at the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) meet regularly with the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) and the airline operators utilising facilities at Dublin Airport to discuss issues relating to the implementation of immigration controls, air routes and flight schedules and other related matters arising at Dublin Airport.

An Garda Síochána are engaged in discussions regarding additional facilities at Dublin Airport with regard to the GNIB. These discussions involve the Office of Public Works and DAA and are at an early stage of development.

It is anticipated that one or more airline operator(s) will commence new transatlantic routes following the implementation of the recently agreed Open Skies Agreement, which is due to be signed at an EU-US Summit in April, 2007. The implications for An Garda Síochána, GNIB, DAA and the airlines operating out of and into Dublin Airport have been, and will be subject of discussion at these regular meetings.

Garda personnel assigned throughout the country, together with overall policing arrangements and operational strategy, are continually monitored and reviewed. Such monitoring ensures that optimum use is made of Garda resources, and the best possible Garda service is provided to the general public.