The Daily Star Ireland
Irish immigration authorities may face significant challenges in conducting thorough identity checks and security screenings on asylum seekers due to the country’s limited access to key European Union security systems. A newly published government implementation plan tied to the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum outlines specific obstacles resulting from Ireland’s non-participation in the Schengen Area and its associated IT infrastructure.
Under the plan, which details preparations for the migration pact set to take effect next year, officials acknowledge the country may be unable to conduct the level of identity validation expected by EU standards. The absence of access to systems such as the EU Entry/Exit System, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), and the Visa Information System (VIS) is at the core of these concerns.
The EU Entry/Exit System, scheduled to launch in October, is designed to track movements across the bloc’s external borders. The system will store facial images, fingerprints, dates and locations of border crossings, and records of denied entries. It is intended to prevent unauthorized stays and detect identity fraud, with data used for law enforcement purposes including the investigation of terrorism and serious crime.
Ireland’s current exclusion from this system stems from its position outside the Schengen Area, a zone where member states share border control policies to facilitate free movement. The Schengen agreement includes most EU countries along with non-EU members such as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Ireland’s participation is constrained by its continued involvement in the Common Travel Area with the United Kingdom.
Limitations Extend Beyond Entry Systems
Ireland is also barred from accessing ETIAS, a forthcoming pre-travel screening mechanism for visa-exempt travelers entering 30 European countries. ETIAS is set to launch by the end of next year and is intended to improve border security by assessing potential risks before travelers arrive.
Additionally, Irish officials cannot access the EU Visa Information System, which allows member states to compare biometric data, including fingerprints and facial images, submitted during visa applications. This system is instrumental in identifying mismatches or forged identities and enhancing cooperation between participating countries on visa matters.
The National Implementation Plan emphasizes that without entry to these integrated platforms, Ireland may struggle to meet the EU’s required standards for comprehensive screening and data sharing. The report identifies a need for further analysis to determine how these limitations will affect the country’s ability to carry out its responsibilities under the migration pact.
Alternative Measures and Legal Alignment Efforts
In response to the access restrictions, Ireland has opted into EuroDac, the EU’s fingerprint database for asylum seekers. This system, currently undergoing enhancements, will soon include expanded capabilities such as storing official documents, photographs, and the location of the initial asylum application. These upgrades aim to reduce secondary movements across member states and strengthen overall asylum processes.
The Department of Justice has confirmed plans to align Irish legislation with the operational goals of the EU systems, despite not being part of the Schengen network. National laws will be used to implement comparable procedures and requirements for screening those who arrive irregularly.
Screening protocols within Ireland will continue to include identity verification, medical evaluations, criminal history checks, and fingerprint collection for inclusion in the EuroDac database. These measures are part of the government’s broader strategy to uphold security standards and maintain cooperation with European counterparts where possible, even in the absence of direct access to several centralized databases.
