Vol. 565 No. 2
318 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is considering the introduction of fingerprinting of non-EU foreign nationals; if so, the reasons therefor; if it will be applied to all non-EU foreign nationals equally; the statistics which exist comparing crime and fraud rates among EU nationals and non-EU nationals here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10469/03]
As I indicated in my replies to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 25 and 42 on 6 February 2003 and 268 on 1 April 2003, I am currently 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. My reasons therefor are set out in my replies to those questions. Were fingerprinting to become a feature of the registration process, it would not be applied on the basis of a distinction made in respect of certain non-EEA nationalities. Statistics comparing crime and fraud rates among EU nationals and non-EU nationals in the State are not compiled. However, the Garda annual reports, which have been lodged in the Oireachtas Library, contain statistics in relation to the nationality of persons prosecuted for drug offences.
