Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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981. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will confirm whether he or his Department have engaged with Frontex or Europol regarding the operational data collected by Frontex which has identified numerous non-governmental organisations as part of its anti-smuggling operation with Europol; if he is aware of any NGO identified by Frontex or Europol that is funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17345/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that Ireland is not a member of Frontex.   As an EU Member State, Ireland is invited to participate at the Frontex Management Board in a non-voting capacity and can, should it wish to do so, seek to participate in certain training and joint operations co-ordinated by Frontex on behalf of EU Member States. Ireland is a member of Europol, the European Union Agency of Law Enforcement Cooperation.

Frontex facilitates training across Frontex member states and Ireland participates in areas such as the use of IT systems, escort leaders in return operations, escort officers in return operations and detection of false documents.  Ireland is not involved directly in Frontex land/sea operations.

I am informed that my Department has not engaged with Frontex or Europol in relation to the operational data referenced by the Deputy.