Contract signed for electronic fingerprint system for INIS

[Mysh]

Contract signed for new electronic fingerprint system for the Garda Siochana and Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service.

During his visit to the Burgh Quay offices and in welcoming the signature of the contract, the Tanaiste said, "Enhanced biometric technology is a key element in assisting the Garda and immigration authorities to carry out their work effectively in areas such as crime detection, border management and identity validation generally.

The signing of this contract is further proof of this Government's commitment to providing both An Garda Siochana and the immigration service with the most up to date technology to assist in the delivery of an effective service to the State, its citizens and the wider community."

Commenting on the strategic role that this new system will play in relation to immigration and border management, the Tanaiste went on to say "Since INIS was established in 2005, it has embarked on a series of measures to improve services across the whole spectrum of its activities and to strengthen the effectiveness of the immigration system. Allowing fingerprint data of migrants to be taken (which is already a requirement laid down by law) electronically will significantly enhance the integrity of our immigration system and allow the GNIB, in particular, to more rapidly detect and deal with cases of identity abuse.

The deployment of this system together with other ongoing IT development projects in the visa and immigration system coupled with the recently published Scheme for a comprehensive new Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill will see Ireland's immigration system being on par with the best models available."

http://www.justice.ie/80256E01003A02...cJUSQ6VSH6X-en