Peter Barry
Question:31 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Justice when passport controls will be removed in the EC; if it is a matter to be resolved by the EC Court of Justice; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Passport Controls.
The position with regard to free movement of persons within the Community as implied by the Single European Act is that discussions have been taking place at an intergovernmental level with a view to ensuring that appropriate compensatory measures are put in place. The need to protect against the possibility of the proposed greater freedom of movement being exploited is recognised by all member states. The Copenhagen European Council in June noted that the full implementation of free movement of persons required particular measures with regard to co-operation aimed at combating crime and drug trafficking and ensuring effective control of the external borders and, with that in mind, the Council invited the responsible Ministers to bring forward their work on these measures as a matter of great urgency.
The precise implementation of passport controls in member states is a matter for the appropriate authorities of each State. Certain member states, including Ireland, have been taking steps to lighten controls at international frontiers. Ireland is to the forefront of this movement and I reduced controls on nationals of member states entering this country with effect from 1 March last. Special channels were introduced at ports and airports to facilitate EC nationals travelling from member states to Ireland. There is no systematic check on EC nationals who use the special channels but there is a requirement that they display their passports to show that they are entitled to use the channels. Existing controls on all persons travelling to Ireland from outside the Community are maintained. The measures are being reviewed to see if it is possible to reduce controls on community nationals even further.