Information sharing between UK & Republic of Ireland when applying for an Irish study visa

Dear Home Office,

I understand the UK and Republic of Ireland have a special understanding when it comes to sharing visa applicant’s biographic/biometric data.

In the context of Indian nationals seeking to apply for an Irish student visa from India have their biographic or biometric information shared with the UK?
 If so, is this done on a systemic or case-by-case basis?
 Also, which databases are these applicants checked against by the UK authorities in the process of information sharing with the Republic of Ireland?

I understand UK also has bilateral information sharing protocol with M5 countries namely: US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
 Does this mean that Indian nationals seeking to apply for an Irish student visa from India can potentially have their biographic or biometric information shared with the M5 countries via UK acting as the intermediary?
 If so, is this done on a systemic basis or case-by-case basis?
 Under which circumstances can Indian nationals applying for an Irish study visa will have their biometrics shared with the M5 countries?

Bear in mind that Indian nationals who are international students in Republic of Ireland are not automatically allowed to travel to the UK unless they apply and get a valid UK visit visa. If they do not wish to travel to the UK will their data still be shared with the UK authorities and further with the M5 countries via UK?

Yours faithfully,
Micheal Keynes

Dear Home Office,

Thank you for your response: FOI Response 72222. I'd like some clarification in regard to your aforementioned response. You may add this as a follow up request to my existing query - case ref 72222.

Consider the scenario where an Irish student visa application made to the Republic of Ireland from India is granted. Your response suggests that under the bilateral agreements between UK & Ireland, biometric/biographic information of the Irish student visa applicant will be shared with the UK Home Office. This is fine, it makes sense to do so as well in order to protect the CTA.

Now, I'd like to know whether subsequent visa applications to remain in Ireland after graduating made by the same applicant who applied for the student visa from India is also going to be shared with the UK Home Office? Given the fact that their data was already shared with the UK Home Office in the initial application made from India?

Another way to put it is - are all visa applications to remain in the Republic of Ireland which are made in-country (the applicant is already lawfully present in Ireland holding a valid visa) shared with the UK Home Office? If so, is this sharing done on a systematic or case by case basis? Does this include applications for Irish citizenship or permanent leave to remain in the Republic of Ireland as well?

Thank you. Your responses are indeed informative and enable me to give competent advice to my clients in India.

Yours faithfully,

Micheal Keynes