Ireland has applied to join a new EU rapid-reaction force to protect Europe's borders, writes Jamie Smyth, in Laapeenranta, Finland.
If its application is approved by Frontex, the EU border agency, Irish border guards, experts and equipment could be deployed to help tackle major EU immigration crises, most immediately the thousands of African refugees landing in the Canary Islands.
"We have to wait until the next Frontex board meeting at the end of the month for approval, but we do not expect there will be a problem," an Irish spokesman said.
The Government is not yet sure what assets or personnel it could offer the fledgling EU agency, but it may be able to share expertise built up in development projects in Africa.
The first emergency EU border force was established last month to try to stem a flow of thousands of Africans seeking to enter Spain illegally on boats to the Canary Islands. However, this mission has been blighted by delays due to a lack of ships, aircraft and personnel to patrol the Mediterranean in search of illegal migrants.
Ireland and Britain are currently not involved in operational activities undertaken by Frontex because they are not part of the Schengen Agreement area - the border-free travel zone of the EU, which includes all of the old EU, plus Iceland and Norway, with the exception of Britain and Ireland. Britain and Ireland retain their own common travel area rules and borders.
However, in recent weeks Britain has signed an agreement with Frontex to enable it to take part in the new rapid-reaction forces authorised by the European Commission during the summer.
Ireland submitted its formal application after Britain agreed to provide it with copies of its agreement with Frontex and to share information on operations it takes part in.
Even if it is accepted into Frontex, Ireland will remain a non-voting member on its board, as it is not a signatory to Schengen, although it could supply funds to the agency.
Ilkka Laitinen, executive directive of Frontex, said yesterday that the agency had received a formal application from the Irish authorities to join its operational activities and it had already signed a similar agreement with Britain.
He defended Frontex against criticism that it was not doing enough to help in the Spanish immigration crisis. "I am very proud and satisfied with the outcome of my staff in Frontex," said Mr Laitinen, who pointed out that the agency had been operational for less than a year.
The Spanish government warned this week that it faced a humanitarian crisis due to the number of undocumented African immigrants arriving on its shores and it criticised the EU for not doing enough to help. On Wednesday and Thursday of this week more than 250 Africans were intercepted trying to reach the Canary Islands. The total number of arrivals from Africa so far this year stands at 19,000.