New visa rules criticised

The introduction of fingerprints and digital facial images on visas of non-EU nationals was criticised today.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties says the introduction of this new system should not be 'sneaked' through the Dáil at the 11th hour without debate.

It is believed the 'biometric' information will be stored on national and EU-wide databases, potentially accessible to thousands of officials.

The council’s director, Aisling Reidy, says it raises privacy issues, and she is worried the proposals don't have sufficient safeguards.

"What’s happening is that we’re having a quiet potential erosion of civil liberties, without any public scrutiny or proper debate in parliament, and that we find very disturbing,” she said.