US Secretary for Homeland Security Janet Napolitano is visiting Ireland to view the new US preclearance facilities at Terminal Two at Dublin Airport.
The facilities will allow US-bound passengers to clear all US entry controls before they leave Dublin Airport from early next year.
Currently only US immigration clearance facilities are available at Dublin Airport.
Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey welcomed Ms Napolitano to Ireland.
He said the new facility will allow all US-bound passengers to benefit from uninterrupted passage through US airports on arrival, which will save time.
