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Passport Applications.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 October 2004

Wednesday, 27 October 2004

Questions (124)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

228 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government supports the introduction of biometrics indicators in EU passports from 2006. [26253/04]

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Written answers

The European Commission has proposed a draft regulation on security standards, including biometric information, for passports. The regulation, if adopted, would effect only Schengen countries and would not, therefore, apply to Ireland. However, the Government believes the incorporation of biometrics in passports, in accordance with the standards proposed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, can make an effective contribution to increasing the security of international travel. The Government, therefore, welcomes the emerging consensus on the Commission proposal, even though Ireland will not be bound by the regulation, if adopted.

The United States enacted legislation after the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 that requires all visa waiver countries, including Ireland, to introduce passports containing biometric information by 26 October 2004, subsequently postponed to 26 October 2005, as a condition of remaining in the visa waiver programme.

On 22 January 2004, the Government agreed in principle to the introduction of passports containing biometric information, subject to a further Government decision at a later stage on the practical arrangements for its implementation. My Department is examining these issues and, in the light of this, I expect to submit proposals to Government in the near future.

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