The United States’ Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano recently visited Dublin Airport.
She was there to meet Irish Minister of Transport Noel Dempsey and mark the expansion of pre-clearance services, beginning January 19, 2011, in Ireland to commercial aircraft departing and passing through Dublin Airport for the United States.
According to the DHS this is enhancing global aviation security by allowing DHS to screen travellers before takeoff through the same process they would undergo upon arrival at a US port of entry to better target and prevent threats while streamlining legitimate travel and trade.
"Our continued partnership with the Irish government is critical to our efforts to enhance international aviation security," said Secretary Napolitano. "Expanding preclearance services at Dublin Airport underscores our commitment to protecting the safety and security of our citizens while streamlining legitimate travel and commerce between our two nations."
To meet US screening standards, members of the Dublin Airport security staff have been trained by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on TSA-approved screening procedures.
DHS provides pre-clearance services at 14 foreign airports in five countries. Passengers or crew members found to be inadmissible to the United States are denied admission prior to boarding U.S.-bound flights—eliminating the need to return inadmissible travelers to their country of departure after they have already arrived in the United States.
In March, pre-clearance services were expanded for private aircraft departing Shannon Airport for the United States. The expansion of pre-clearance services in Ireland is part of the Department’s ongoing efforts to work with international partners and the International Civil Aviation Organization to bolster global aviation security. Last month, Secretary Napolitano announced that 100 per cent of passengers on flights from, within or bound for the United States are now being checked against government watch-lists under the TSA’s Secure Flight program—fulfilling a key 9/11 Commission recommendation a month ahead of schedule.
Following her visit in Dublin, Secretary Napolitano continued her international travel to Israel, Afghanistan and Brussels. For more information, visit –
