Vol. 482 No. 3
27 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether it is appropriate that Irish people travelling to Britain should be required to complete disembarkation cards in view of the fact that this requirement seems to be applied exclusively to Irish people; the representations, if any, he made to the British Government regarding this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18023/97]
Under the terms of Schedule 5 of the British Prevention of Terrorism Act 1989, which relates to Port and Border Control, passengers arriving in or leaving Britain or Northern Ireland can be required to complete a landing or an embarkation card for an examining officer. This provision applies only to travel within the common travel area and accordingly affects principally persons, of any nationality, travelling between Britain and Ireland.
The Government has frequently expressed its concerns regarding the operation of the Prevention of Terrorism Act. We are particularly concerned at those provisions of the PTA, including that relating to disembarkation cards, whose application appears to target the Irish community in Britain or persons travelling between the two islands. We have urged the British authorities to ensure that these provisions do not impact in a general and undiscriminating manner on the Irish community and Irish or other people travelling between these islands. Complaints brought to our notice concerning instances of the use of these powers are also raised with the British authorities through the Embassy in London.
Last week, the British Home Secretary announced that proposals to replace the PTA and EPA with permanent UK wide counter-terrorism legislation will be presented early next year. I understand that the question of disembarkation cards will be examined as part of the review of this legislation.
The Government will continue to raise at all appropriate opportunities the concerns which the Deputy and others have expressed in relation to this aspect of the Prevention of Terrorism Act with a view to bringing to an end a practice that has a disproportionate impact of Irish citizens.
