Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 April 2024
87. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice if she is now in a position to supply the information sought in a previous question (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16773/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), which includes all operational policing matters, including the management of Garda IT systems. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
The Schengen Information System (SIS) went live in Ireland on 15 March 2021, and enables An Garda Síochána to further improve the safety and security of the public with access to the most widely used, and largest, information sharing system for security and border management in Europe.
On 7 March 2023, the upgraded SIS entered into operation. The upgraded SIS is enhanced to include new categories of alerts, biometrics such as palm prints, fingerprints, and DNA records for missing persons, and additional tools to combat crime and terrorism. These upgrades aim to provide national authorities with more complete and reliable information to enhance security and border management in Europe.
An Garda Síochána has responsibility for system connectivity and international communications regarding SIS. The national SIRENE Bureau is located at Garda Headquarters and is supported by the National SIS Office, also located in Garda Headquarters.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that SIS Alerts issued and received by Ireland from 15 March 2021 to 23 January 2024 (inclusive) are as listed below. Information may only be provided from 15 March 2021 as that is the date SIS went live in Ireland.
• Article 26 SIS Alerts issued by Ireland for persons wanted on European Arrest Warrants – 201
• Article 26 SIS Alerts received by Schengen countries – 54,098
• Article 32 SIS Alerts issued by Ireland for Missing Persons including children– 11,299
• Article 32 SIS Alerts received by Schengen countries – 4,214
• Article 34 SIS Alerts issued by Ireland for purpose of Establishing Place of Residence of Persons Sought to Assist with Criminal Proceedings – 300
• Article 34 SIS Alerts received by Schengen countries -2,017
• Article 38 SIS Alerts issued by Ireland for Objects wanted for Seizure or for Use as Evidence in Criminal Proceedings – 98,270
• Article 38 SIS Alerts received by Schengen countries – 2,677
It is worth noting that Ireland does not receive alerts per se. Alerts are issued by Member States and broadcast on the Schengen Information System. Ireland can view/access these alerts through SIS on a hit basis. The figures for “SIS Alerts received by Schengen countries” provided above are the number of alerts received/reviewed by An Garda Síochána on SIS that were issued by other Schengen states. These make up only a small part of the total number of alerts received across all Member States.
Accurate records of alerts issued by Member States other than Ireland are held centrally by EU-Lisa, the EU agency responsible for the Schengen Information System.
All information supplied is operational and subject to change and is correct as of 25 January 2024.
