Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 263: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will report on his recent meeting with the US Secretary for Homeland Security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2749/11]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I had the pleasure to meet with the US Secretary for Homeland Security Ms. Janet Napolitano on the 30th December last in Dublin Airport. The purpose of her visit was to tour the new U.S. preclearance facility in Terminal 2.

U.S. preclearance at Dublin Airport is due to commence on 19 January. This will allow U.S. bound passengers to clear all U.S. entry controls before they leave Dublin Airport. Currently only U.S. immigration clearance facilities are available at the airport. This new procedure will mean that all precleared U.S. bound travellers will face no further entry processes when they reach the U.S. and will be treated as if their flight had originated at a U.S. domestic airport.

I was very happy to welcome the Secretary to Dublin and for her to see the very fine preclearance facility that the Dublin Airport Authority has provided for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which is a constituent part of her Department and who will operate the facility. I see her visit as affirmation of the importance that the United States Government attaches to U.S. preclearance from Ireland.