Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 January 2014
591. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the use of finger-handprints by the Garda National Immigration Bureau; if they are disposed of after citizenship is granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4122/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe legislative basis for the taking of fingerprints in respect of foreign nationals who enter the State is provided for as far back as the Aliens Order of 1946. This Order imposed, subject to a small number of exceptions, a registration requirement on foreign nationals which included a requirement to provide fingerprints when so required by a registration officer. The limited number of exceptions to the registration requirement includes those aged under 16 years and those whose visit is for a period of not more than three months. Since that time the registration process, including the fingerprint requirement, has been preserved, in respect of non-EEA nationals, in subsequent legislation, most recently in the Immigration Act 2004.
The obligations on a non-national to register are set out in section 9 of the Immigration Act, 2004 and pursuant to section 9(2)(a) of the Immigration Act 2004, a non national is required to furnish certain particulars to a Registration Officer for the Registration District in which he or she is resident. These particulars are set out in the Second Schedule, to the Act of 2004. Paragraph 11 of the said Schedule sets out a requirement regarding the provision of “signature and fingerprints”, if required by the Registration Officer.
It is generally recognised internationally that taking of fingerprints, or other biometric identifiers, is an essential and reliable method of verification and a key technology in efforts to combat identity fraud and to enhance the security and integrity of documentation such as the registration certificate issued to a non-national on completion of the registration process.
For this purpose, and following an expansion of the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) operated by An Garda Síochána, the taking of fingerprints in the process of registration of non-nationals, commenced in 2008.
Fingerprints are stored on the AFIS database which is housed in a secure location in a Garda facility. Access to the AFIS database itself is controlled by use of passwords and access controls and a full audit trail is kept of all transactions associated with the AFIS system. All passwords are managed and controlled and comply with international and industry standards.
For the avoidance of any misunderstanding in respect of the taking of fingerprints of people who become naturalised citizens, it is the case that significant numbers of these including all children under sixteen years of age and any non-national born in Ireland are not required to register and as such are not fingerprinted.
In relation to the disposal of fingerprints, while there are no specific provisions contained in current legislation in respect of registered non-nationals, provision is made for the destruction of fingerprints taken from foreign nationals, for immigration related reasons, in the Immigration Residence & Protection Bill. Specifically in relation to persons who acquire citizenship, the Bill provides for the destruction of biometric data within not later than one month of becoming an Irish citizen or a citizen of a Member State of the European Union.
