Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
1103. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice to address the following matters (details supplied) with respect to finger printing, cross-checking and verification processes related to international protection applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1492/24]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that the establishment of a person’s identity and nationality is an important feature of our immigration processes.
When a person makes an application for international protection, they are photographed and have their fingerprints taken. These fingerprints are then checked against the EURODAC database, an EU-wide immigration database which stores the fingerprints of asylum applicants and those who have crossed borders illegally. EURODAC is not a criminal records database, however, the underpinning regulations permit law enforcement agencies to compare fingerprints linked to criminal investigations with those contained on EURODAC in certain circumstances involving serious criminal offences.
Character and conduct checks are carried out through An Garda Síochána where consideration is being given to granting an applicant an international protection status or discretionary permission to remain in the State.
In relation to countries of origin which will not be a party to the EURODAC database, it would be in breach of our responsibilities in respect of refugee protection to contact the consular or police authorities in relation to persons who have sought the protection of the Irish State as doing so may have the consequence of making such authorities aware of an applicant’s presence in the State, and their claim for international protection.
If an international protection applicant does not generate a “hit” on EURODAC, because they have not had an immigration interaction with another EU State, and they do not have identifying documentation, their international protection claim must still be processed. Their claim, as with all international protection claims, will be determined on the grounds set out in the International Protection Act 2015.
In addition to checks specifically on those applying for international protection, every person arriving at a port of entry in the State is subject to a Schengen Information System (SIS) check. In that regard, Ireland sends and receives SIS II information (termed ‘Alerts’) on persons and objects; for example persons wanted by Member States for criminal purposes, missing persons and objects which have been stolen or are wanted as evidence for a judicial purpose.
In relation to the iFADO database, this is utilised by Immigration Officers in Ireland as required in the course of their work. iFADO is an internet-based image-archiving system set up to support the rapid sharing between EU Member States of images of genuine, false and forged documents .
