A SYSTEM for dealing with visitors to Ireland from outside the EU who over-stay their permitted time will be rolled out next year, according to the Minister for Justice, Dermot Ahern.
Speaking in Prague, where he is attending a meeting of justice and home affairs ministers, Mr Ahern said new technology, greater integration and a new entry control system would assist in reducing and possibly eradicating the problem. The new Irish Border Information System will operate on the basis that passenger information collected by carriers prior to departure will be sent to an Irish Border Operations Centre (I-BOC), where it will be screened against immigration, Garda, Customs and other watch-lists.
“In the event that a match occurs, the relevant agency concerned would be alerted immediately,” he said.
“The Government has approved the development of the first phase of the system and I expect the roll-out of the system will commence during 2010.”
The Prague meeting also focused on the international protection of children and anti-drugs policy.
Mr Ahern said the Safer Internet Programme 2009-2013, approved by the European Parliament and the European Council, would provide the public with national contact points for reporting illegal and harmful content, especially in relation to child abuse imagery and grooming.