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Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland
# immigration control
'Self service' border control gates on trial at Dublin Airport
Minister for Defence Alan Shatter said that the e-gates would provide a “more secure and efficient means for clearing passengers”.
AUTOMATIC BORDER CONTROL are now in operation at Dublin Airport, the Minister for Justice Alan Shatter announced today.
The six-month trial, which is currently underway in Dublin Airport’s Terminal One, is being conducted by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS).
It is the first time that e-gates have been used in Ireland for the purposes of immigration.
Passport holders from Ireland, the EU, the European Economic Area (EEU) and Switzerland who are aged 18 years or older will now have the picture on their passport verified electronically, and will no longer have to present themselves to an Immigration Officer.
The automatic border gate technology that is required for this has been provided by both SITA and Accenture at no cost to the state.
Announcing the initiative, Shatter said that the trial was part of some “major changes” regarding border control at Dublin Airport.
Civilian immigration officers are replacing Gardaí with the aim of freeing up Garda resources for other policing duties, immigration control processes are being reviewed and leading-edge border technology such as automated gates is being tested.
The minister went on to say that the e-gates would provide a “more secure and efficient means for clearing passengers through immigration control” and that he looked forward to receiving feedback from the trial.
Read: Management to help with security screening at Dublin Airport >
