The European Council has approved Ireland’s connection to the Schengen Information System (SIS II), the largest and most widely used IT system for public security in Europe.

SIS II enables law enforcement agencies to share and check data on wanted persons, missing persons, persons who may not have the right to enter or stay in the EU, and objects/vehicles that may have been stolen, misappropriated, or lost.

When live in Ireland from 15 March 2021, SIS II will allow the automated, simultaneous, and immediate exchange of information across all other countries using SIS II. Garda members add data to SIS II in the form of alerts.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee said: “Connecting to SIS is a game-changer for Gardaí in their investigation of cross border crime. The system will support much greater real-time police co-operation with our EU law enforcement colleagues and further build on Ireland’s ability to tackle serious crime.

“An Garda Síochána has been working towards this since 2016, with very significant financial support from government, to build and test the complex IT infrastructure and develop the training needed to complete the connection to SIS II.

“This project has long been a priority for my Department which has drafted the enabling legislation and conducted the necessary negotiations with the EU institutions involved - keeping the focus on driving this work forward.

“I thank everyone involved in this project and I am very pleased that Ireland will now be moving to connection to the system in 2021.”