Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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206. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if an analysis has been conducted of the possibility of introducing trusted traveller schemes similar to those in operation between the United States of America and Canada following the UK's decision to leave the EU. [28704/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Trusted Traveller programmes typically provide expedited travel for pre-approved, low risk travellers through dedicated automatic border controls.

A national framework contract for the supply and installation of Automatic Border Control 'eGates' at the Irish State's ports of entry was put in place by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service on 17 July 2017. The first phase of the project has seen the installation of 20 eGates at Dublin Airport (10 gates each in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2) with further phases of the system to be rolled out in the coming months.

Under this contract, there is provision for implementing a Registered Traveller System to allow approved citizens from countries outside the EEA and Switzerland to use the eGates. I have requested INIS to examine this option with a view to developing a policy in this area in the early part of next year. This will consider the type and nationality of travellers that the scheme will be open to and the detail of the applications process. Such a scheme would include carrying out background checks against the applicants to ensure they do not pose a public safety or immigration concern to the State.