Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 November 2025
823. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if her Department has conducted a review of identity verification procedures used in deportation and asylum cases, following recent reports of individuals successfully avoiding deportation through the use of aliases. [63773/25]
View answer825. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if biometric identification (fingerprint or facial recognition) is currently used to verify identity before deportation; and if not, whether his Department plans to implement such technology to prevent fraudulent alias use. [63775/25]
View answer826. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department shares deportation and identity information in real time with An Garda Síochána, the Department of Social Protection and the section of his Department responsible for integration; and if not, the reason such data-sharing has not been automated. [63776/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 823, 825 and 826 together.
It is a central priority for me that Ireland’s immigration system is robust, and rules based. The enforcement aspects of our laws, including deportation orders, are an essential requirement for the system to work effectively and to ensure that there is confidence in the application of our legislation in this area.
The establishment of a person’s identity and nationality is an important feature of our immigration process.
When a person makes an application for international protection, they are photographed and have their fingerprints taken. These fingerprints are then checked against the EURODAC database, an EU-wide immigration database which stores the fingerprints of asylum applicants and those who have crossed borders illegally.
My Department also works closely with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), who are responsible for the enforcement of deportation orders, including with respect to identity verification. I can further advise the Deputy that my Department has a data sharing agreement with the Department of Social Protection. Information on each person issued with a deportation order is shared with the Department of Social Protection prior to the issuance of the order.
I can also advise the Deputy that prior to a deportation, my Department will ensure that biometric checks are conducted with the return country in the absence of identity documents for the person being returned.
