Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 May 2017
137. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the State's implementation of the Schengen information system, SIS, under Council Decision 2002/192/EC; the technical and legal preparations needed to connect to SIS; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21766/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland was authorised to participate in certain non-border aspects of the Schengen Acquis by Council Decision 2002/192/EC, principally in relation to police and judicial cooperation. Those provisions have yet to be implemented in full, and Ireland has yet to join the second generation Schengen Information System "SIS". I am prioritising Ireland's full implementation of our Schengen decision and our joining SIS. SIS is a valuable policing tool and will help in the fight against cross-border crime and terrorism.
The national legislative measures required for participation were largely completed by 2009, although some of those legislative provisions will not be commenced until Ireland is ready to join SIS. Joining SIS involves major ICT investment, which in recent years the State was simply not in a position to make. With the easing of economic conditions, I have been able to secure funding for this valuable project, and An Garda Síochána have now entered a contract with an ICT contractor to carry out the work required for Ireland to join SIS. The contract is for full operationalisation of SIS in Ireland, that is to say creating the link to the central Schengen Information System (CS-SIS), the creation of the national copy (N-SIS), its integration with PULSE, and comprehensive training from the SIRENE Bureau to the end-user. That contract was signed in December 2016, and €4m has been provided to commence the project.
An implementation group comprising my officials, An Garda Síochána and other stakeholders is overseeing the wider Schengen implementation plan to ensure that all State bodies involved are prepared for and able to implement their responsibilities under the Schengen decision.
I have kept the EU Commission informed of our progress to implementing the Schengen decision and joining SIS, and I have been very clear that Ireland is committed joining SIS and is dedicating the necessary resources to do so.
