Ireland Officially Joins the Schengen Information System – SIS II

Ireland has finally gained full access to the Schengen Information System (SIS II) on March 15, 2021, after the EU Council approved the Irish government’s request to join the system on December 10, 2020.

The Schengen Information System is the most commonly used IT system to control public security in Europe, which enables law enforcement agencies to check and share data on banned, missing, and wanted individuals as well as lost, stolen, and misappropriated objects or vehicles.

“The Schengen Information System is the largest law enforcement database in Europe, and Ireland’s connection to it will strengthen law enforcement cooperation and enhance security in Europe,” the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said, welcoming Ireland’s access to the system.

The Minister further pointed out that the national police service of the Republic of Ireland, known as the An Garda Síochána, together with her department, has been working on this matter since 2016, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports

She also noted that Gardaí had to build and test the complex IT infrastructure and establish the needed training for the connection completion to SIS II. Her department developed the legislative framework and carried out discussions with the EU institutions involved.

“I am confident that this will be a game-changer for Gardaí in their fight against cross-border crime,” McEntee added.

Ireland is not a member of the Schengen borderless area, but it partakes in policing cooperation measures that are part of the Schengen Agreement and from now on acquire and submit data under SIS II.

According to a press release issued by the government of Ireland, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris also confirmed that An Garda Síochána has been working in the Schengen Information establishments for some time now, asserting that the benefits the SIS II will provide to policing in the territory of Ireland cannot be underestimated.

Furthermore, the Commissioner expressed his belief that the provided access to the SIS II databases that contain law enforcement statistics from 30 European Union and Schengen countries allow An Garda Síochána and other law enforcement bodies across Europe to have prompt access to police data and information.

“Accessing such information means that An Garda Síochána can swiftly deal with issues of serious crime with potential links to other European countries,” Commissioner Drew Harris added.

A Garda Síochána has incorporated the PULSE and Garda National Immigration Bureau databases with SIS II, and members of the Garda and the Border Management Unit and Immigration Service (ISD) personnel will now have access to SIS data on their workplaces.

Ireland has also established the SIRENE Bureau (Supplementary Information Request at the National Entries), connected to other bureaus of Member States. It operates 24/7 to coordinate and share information related to the alerts.

Previously, Ireland and the United Kingdom did not have full access to the Schengen Information System before, limiting them to use it for law enforcement purposes only. However, the UK does not have any access since January 1 after it became a non-EU member, whereas Ireland has gained full access to the system on March 15, 2021.