Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

190. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the criteria used by immigration officers for carrying out additional checks including interviews in respect of persons arriving at airports here and who have a passport from another EU member state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18846/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

A European Union citizens in possession of a valid national identity card or passport as evidence of his or her nationality and identity may not be refused entry to the State subject to restrictions only for reasons of public policy, public security or public health.

Immigration Officers are required to establish the validity of travel documents presented to them for entry to the State. Section 11 of the Immigration Act, 2004 (as amended by the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011) requires that every person landing in the State shall provide their passport or other equivalent document on request, and provide such information in such manner as the immigration officer may reasonably require.

Many nationals of European Union Member States choose to travel using their national identity card. Unfortunately, it is a regular feature of immigration control that cases arise of persons using false or fraudulently obtained EU national identity cards in an attempt to avail of free movement when they are not entitled to do so. There may be other matters that Immigration officers will wish to establish if they have concerns about the person presenting for entry to the State, including the risk of human trafficking, identification of lost or stolen travel documents, whether the person is the subject of an Irish removal order or poses a risk to the Common Travel Area.