Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

164. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality how many persons fingerprints were checked against the Schengen Information System in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3267/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) for the management and administration of Garda business. This includes all operational policing matters and the maintenance of Garda IT systems. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions.

The Schengen Information System (SIS) went live in Ireland on 15 March 2021, and enables An Garda Síochána to further improve the safety and security of the public with access to the most widely used, and largest, information sharing system for security and border management in Europe.

On the 7 March 2023, the upgraded SIS entered into operation. The upgraded SIS is enhanced to include new categories of alerts, biometrics such as palm prints, fingerprints, and DNA records for missing persons, and additional tools to combat crime and terrorism. These upgrades aim to provide national authorities with more complete and reliable information to enhance security and border management in Europe.

An Garda Síochána has responsibility for system connectivity and international communications regarding SIS. The national SIRENE Bureau is located at Garda Headquarters and is supported by the National SIS Office, also located in Garda Headquarters.

To be of assistance, I have contacted the Garda authorities and have been informed that for 2023, there were 3,359 SIS Person Fingerprint searches against Ireland's National Automatic Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). There were 1,033 SIS Person (Person Details) requests made against AFIS in 2023.

Person Detail requests relate to the checking of a person's details against person details held on AFIS and, where a match occurs and it is lawful to do so, these fingerprints are then attached to the Irish SIS Alert and submitted to SIS.

Attaching fingerprints to an Irish SIS Alert and submitting the alert to SIS results in an automatic check against SIS AFIS at the point of creation.

All figures supplied are operational and subject to change and are correct as of 23 January 2024.

Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

165. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality how may "take back" requests pursuant to the Dublin III Regulation were made within time in 2023 to which no reply was received, to which member states the said requests were made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3269/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The information requested is currently being compiled and I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have contacted the Garda authorities for the information requested, regrettably this was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy again once the information is to hand.

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

167. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of individuals who have arrived in Ireland at any port of entry, including Dublin Airport, without valid travel documents, despite presenting them at their point of departure, for each of the years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3283/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Border Management Unit of my Department is responsible for frontline Immigration at Dublin Airport only, as such the below figures reflect the position at Dublin Airport. Other airports and other ports of entry are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Data on this subject is not available in respect of such other ports of entry.

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.

The BMU and the GNIB are working closely with airlines on a range of measures to ensure that passengers have the appropriate travel documentation when boarding.

Immigration officials are available 24/7 to assist airlines with queries in relation to immigration matters. In addition to providing advice to airlines on specific queries, training is provided to airline ground staff on current travel documentation requirements to help them reduce the number of passengers boarding flights without correct documentation.

The Department has recorded a 34% reduction in 2023 in the number of persons arriving in the State without the correct documentation.

Figures for 2024 to-date are not yet available.

Dublin Airport:

The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) have responsibility for issuing Carrier Liability, notices and warnings and for the imposition of Carrier Liability Fines on carriers who permit a non-national to travel with their airline or ferry without the necessary entry or transit visa.

In 2022, the GNIB issued 958 carrier liability fines. To end November 2023, GNIB issued 918 Career Liability fines. Each fine is €1,500, rising to €3,000 for each offence if it not paid in 28 days.