The public may eventually be fast-tracked through Dublin Airport if a pilot project, which applies some of the latest technology to passports, is successful.
The project involves embedding biometric data such as fingerprints or iris scans in some passports this year. It is being undertaken to prepare for a new US law which requires all 28 states in the US government's visa-waiver programme to provide biometric data on all newly issued travel documents.
The Enhanced Border Security and Visa Reform Act was passed following the September 11th attacks. It will prevent people with travel documents issued after October 2004 (including renewed passports) from entering the US without a new biometric-enabled visa or passport.
The Government project will establish a special gate at Dublin Airport to process the new biometric passports, which initially will be used by civil servants who agree to take part in the scheme. If successful, the system may be extended to the public.
No decision has been taken yet on whether to use fingerprints, iris scans or palm readings for the passports.
Biometric technologies harness people's biological characteristics and sort, match and identify these for a range of applications, mainly for security. The most popular biometrics are used by police forces and government agencies in the US and Britain.
The Minister for Communications, Mr Ahern, has asked officials to prepare the pilot in response to a report which urges the Government to strongly support biometrics.
Applying Biometrics to the Delivery of Public Services in Ireland, which was prepared by PA Consulting, also recommends that the Government consider using biometrics in the new credit card-style driving licences; in the management of clinical risk in hospitals; and in an ID card for hauliers.
A spokesman for Mr Ahern said yesterday it was important to get a project in place before October 2004 because of the new US law. He said the Minister recognised there may be some misgivings about the new technology but that it could dramatically increase security.
He also confirmed that a second pilot scheme which will embed biometric data in hauliers' ID cards would also be introduced this year. Mr Ahern would discuss the issue with the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan shortly, he added.
But civil liberties groups may oppose biometric-enabled documents which they feel could infringe privacy.
The Irish Council of Civil Liberties said yesterday it had concerns about the widespread introduction of biometrics to passports. "The real danger is that this data could be used for purposes other than legitimate regulating of exit and entrance to a state . . . It is also a concern who has access to this data."