Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
663. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether he or his Department was informed in advance by British authorities about the introduction of live facial recognition technology at Holyhead. [16620/26]
View answerIreland and the United Kingdom (UK) share a common interest in the effective operation of the Common Travel Area (CTA) and work together to prevent any abuses of the CTA.
There is extensive engagement, cooperation and information sharing at all levels between my Department’s officials and their Home Office counterparts, as well as significant operational cooperation between the Gardaí, UK Border Force, UK policing services and the Police Service of Northern Ireland in relation to both immigration and criminal matters.
This strong practical engagement and cooperation serves the mutual interests of both Ireland and the UK, and will continue. I can confirm that my officials were advised of the proposed trial of the technology at Holyhead port.
While it is in the nature of that cooperation that both parties keep each other apprised of relevant developments in relation to the management of their respective immigration arrangements, immigration measures implemented by the UK are entirely a matter for the UK authorities.
