Jimmy Deenihan
Question:95 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the proposals, if any, he has to ensure that Irish citizens travelling in the EU do not have to carry a passport. [20974/99]
Written Answers. - EU Travel.
The Treaty of Amsterdam sets as an objective the progressive establishment of the Union as an area of freedom, justice and security. However, it will be recalled that in the negotiation of the Treaty it did not prove possible to reach agreement on provisions relating to the abolition of border controls at points of entry. While proposals to this effect were acceptable to 13 of the member states, who had been operating for some time within the Schengen framework, the UK insisted on its right to maintain checks and controls at points of entry. Because of our concern to maintain the Common Travel Area with Britain, which accounts for more than 70 per cent of travel to and from this jurisdiction, Ireland was obliged to exercise its right to opt out of the relevant section of the Treaty. Having regard to the fact therefore that controls remain in effect for persons travelling into the Common Travel Area, the Treaty specifically provides for the operation of reciprocal controls for persons travelling from the UK, or Ireland, to other member states.
Ireland has repeatedly signalled, including in a Declaration attached to the Treaty, that it is committed to the promotion of freedom of movement within the Union, and has taken the decision to avail of the relevant exemptions only because of the necessity of maintaining the Common Travel Area. While I am not aware that these circumstances are likely to change in the foreseeable future, Ireland has availed of the opportunity provided by the Treaty to opt in to certain measures proposed under Title IV of the Treaty dealing with freedom of movement and related matters. We will continue to adopt a positive approach to proposals arising in this area.