The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) is to completely disengage from handling the registration of immigrants in Ireland, according to the Minister for Justice.

Answering a recent Dáil question by Joe Carey TD on plans to civilianise immigration registration nationally, following the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service’s (INIS) takeover of GNIB registration in Dublin, Minister Charles Flanagan said work has begun to ascertain how to handle the transition.

“When options are developed for extension to regional offices, it is planned to commence by way of a pilot project later this year. The pilot will inform the plans to civilianise the function nationally,” the minister said.

In a separate response to another question by deputy Carey seeking an update on changes to immigration control at Dublin Airport, Minister Flanagan said the switch to uniformed civilian staff from INIS “has released gardaí previously carrying out these tasks to core policing duties.

“An Garda Síochána will continue to carry out investigative and detention functions at Dublin Airport and an appropriate number of gardaí will be retained there for this purpose.”

Minister Flanagan noted that “a number of administrative function” that remain with the Garda at Dublin airport are due to be transferred this year, such as “the initial interview of persons seeking international protection presenting at the airport.”