Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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572. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when Garda checks at Dublin Airport for travel documents of those disembarking from aircraft were discontinued. [8443/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The State has a duty to protect its borders and following examination, ensure that all arriving passengers are entitled to enter the State. This is a fundamental exercise of State sovereignty, which is necessary to protect the security of the State and to prevent illegal immigration. The exercise of powers in this area is at all times subject to the law and to respect for individual rights.

Immigration officials conduct passport checks, and run operations as required, to ensure passengers arriving in the State are properly documented in accordance with Section 11 of the Immigration Act 2004.

For security reasons and to protect the integrity of the immigration system, both I and my Department do not comment on operational procedures of the Border Management Unit or the Garda National Immigration Bureau. However I can assure the deputy that the GNIB and the BMU are actively engaging with airport authorities and airlines at a senior level to underscore the importance of passengers possessing correct documentation and to provide support in helping them to reduce the number of passengers boarding flights without the correct documentation.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended).