Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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1108.To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she has accepted assistance offered by an airline (details supplied) with respect to the sharing of photocopied images of passports or other identifying documents in an effort to reduce the number of persons presenting at Dublin Airport with no valid or identifying documentation; and if she will make a statement on the matter.[34577/24]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The establishment of a person’s identity and nationality is an important feature of our immigration process.

For security reasons and to protect the integrity of the immigration system, my Department does not comment on operational procedures of the Border Management Unit or the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).

I can advise the Deputy, my Department and the GNIB are working closely with airlines on a range of measures to ensure that passengers have such documentation when boarding. This includes delivering in-person training to relevant airline ground-handling staff on immigration requirements and false travel documentation. Border Management Unit officials are also available 24/7 to assist airlines with any immigration queries.

To the end of July 2024, the Border Management Unit have carried out over 4,500 doorstep operations at Dublin Airport. My Department has recorded a 34% reduction in 2023 in the number of persons arriving in the State without the correct documentation. 2024 has seen a further reduction in the numbers arriving without documentation.

Before the summer recess I brought forward legalisation which increases penalties for carriers who are found to not have conducted appropriate checks on the documentation of people boarding. The fines for carriers have increased from €3,000 to €5,000.

I also strengthened visa requirements to travel to Ireland, provided funding for an increase in the Garda Airport Liaison Officers network across European transport hubs and assigned additional resources to the Border Management Unit to facilitate disembarkment checks.