Trials Of E-Gates Begin At Dublin Airport

The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) has began six month trials of automated border control gates (e-gates) at Terminal One in Dublin Airport.

This is the first time that e-gates have been used in Ireland for immigration purposes.

During the trial period, the operation of these gates will mean that certain passport holders (Irish, EU, EEA and Swiss passengers over 18 years of age) will not be required to present themselves to an Immigration Officer; instead they will have the picture on their passport verified electronically. This is to ensure that the person using the passport is the person to whom it was issued.

The trial is being run in cooperation with the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) and is supported by automated border gate technology provided at no cost to the State by two separate border management solutions companies, SITA and Accenture.

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter, said: "Border control arrangements at Dublin Airport are currently undergoing major change. 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."

Located at Pier A/D in Terminal One which facilitates the entry of 4.4 million passengers to the State every year, the e-gates offer certain categories of arriving passengers a 'self-service' channel to clear immigration control rather than the conventional process of presenting at a manned immigration booth. In time it is hope that this will also speed up the entry clearance process for all tourists and travellers. E-gates will also help strengthen border security as the technology will allow for the early interception of false documents and illegal entry into the State.

(CD)