As I indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 25 and 42 on 6 February 2003, I am considering availing of the provision which has existed in Irish immigration law since 1946 for the fingerprinting of non-EEA nationals during the course of the registration process.
The Garda National Immigration Bureau has become aware of a large number of incidents of identity fraud related to foreign nationals. For example, since 1 January 2003, a total of 369 documents have been seized. These documents fall into the following categories: counterfeit/ forged foreign passports, counterfeit/forged identity cards, counterfeit Irish work permits, counterfeit Irish immigration stamps and counterfeit Irish visas. In addition, computer hardware for the production of such false documents has also been seized. It is not possible to state the extent of the consequent loss to the Exchequer or the cost of the proposed fingerprinting scheme.
There is no evidence in the possession of the Garda Síochána that non-EEA nationals are more likely to commit fraud than EEA nationals or Irish citizens. In general, it is certainly easier for the Garda Síochána to establish information leading to the identification of an Irish citizen without recourse to written documentation. Furthermore, it is the case that non-EEA nationals are required to supply certain information to the Garda Síochána at present, not alone upon arrival in the State but also after three months residence in the State and periodically thereafter depending on the circumstances of the case. It is not my view that the fingerprinting of such persons would treat them as potential criminals, no more than the current registration process does. If that were the case then many facets of immigration control, which in the main is applied only to non-EEA nationals by virtue of our membership of the European Union, could be construed as such.
Questions Nos. 269 to 271, inclusive, answered with Question No. 257.
