I am aware of certain media reports along the lines suggested by the Deputy. However, I have not seen a transcript of what the Internal Market Commissioner actually said on the occasion in question and I have not received any formal communication from him on the subject of free movement of persons. Nevertheless, my understanding from other reports is that the Commissioner, in responding in the European Parliament on 24 May to a question in this area, did in fact refer approvingly to measures I introduced on 1 March to reduce immigration controls, while at the same time underlining a pragmatic approach on his part to achieving the objective of free movement of persons in accordance with Article 8A of the Treaty of Rome.
This is a somewhat complex area and, for the purposes of clarity and for the information of the House, I believe it would be of benefit if I gave some background to the matter. The adoption of the Single European Act entailed the insertion of a new Article into the Treaty of Rome, Article 8A. This new Article implied the free movement of goods, people, capital and services after 1992. Free movement of goods has been introduced since 1 January 1993 and significant progress has been made to introduce the free movement of capital and services. There are, however, significant differences between member states with regard to the free movement of persons.
The European Commission, and the great majority of member states, have interpreted Article 8A to mean that any form of control of persons at the internal frontiers of the Community must be abolished. Britain, however, interprets Article 8A to mean that, while controls on EC nationals must be abolished, member states continue to be free to subject third country nationals to controls at the internal frontiers of the Community.
We, for our part, support the Community objective of adopting measures with the aim of establishing an internal market in which the free movement of goods, people, capital and services is ensured as envisaged in Article 8A. With regard to the free movement of persons, discussions have been taking place at an intergovernmental level with a view to ensuring that appropriate compensatory measures are put in place in the areas of organised crime, drug trafficking, terrorism and illegal immigration. The need to protect against the possibility of the proposed greater freedom within the Community being exploited by criminals, terrorists and illegal immigrants is recognised by all member states.
I arranged for the reduction of immigration controls on nationals of member states of the European Community on 1 March last. Special immigration channels were introduced at ports and airports from that date to facilitate EC nationals travelling from member states to Ireland. These arrangements provide that there is no systematic check on EC nationals who use the special channels. There is a requirement, however, that they display their passports to immigration officers to show that they are entitled to use the special channels. The new lighter controls, which effectively have put us in the forefront as regards free movement, are of benefit to business and tourist travellers and I am satisfied that the general public reaction has been a positive one.
