A new border control system to help crack down on illegal immigration will be rolled out next year, Dermot Ahern told EU justice ministers in Prague today.
The Minister for Justice said the Irish Border Information System (IBIS) would help to identify so-called "overstayers" by collecting information gathered by carriers before departure and sending it to an Irish Border Operations Centre (I-Boc) to be screened against immigration, Garda, customs and other watch-lists.
If a match was found, the relevant agency would be informed, allowing them to take appropriate measures to monitor, intercept, question, stop or arrest the individual concerned.
"“The entry/exit scheme proposal being put forward under the umbrella of the Integrated Border Management Strategy for the Union is a very valuable new development," Mr Ahern said.
"It is important that we identify quickly and accurately overstayers. I know from talking to other Justice and Interior Ministers today that this is currently regarded as perhaps the biggest problem in terms of illegal immigration into the EU.”
Mr Ahern said the development of the first phase of the border control system had been approved by the Government and he expected it to begin in 2010.
The Minister told today's meeting that the EU must seek the most efficient and effective way to deliver information to help fight organised and cross-border crime and illegal immigration, including the use of technology and interoperable systems.
The ministers also discussed the international protection of children and anti-drugs policy.
Mr Ahern said the council welcomed the decision by the European Parliament and the European Council to approve the Safer Internet Programme 2009-2013. "Crucially, it provides the public with national contact points for reporting illegal and harmful content, especially in relation to child abuse imagery and grooming,” he said.
