Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 July 2016
76. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to issue a visa waiver programme for diplomatic passport holders from Georgia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23177/16]
View answerThe requirements for which countries are visa required to come to Ireland are kept under regular review in consultation with my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The Government is pursuing a strategy of greater co-ordination and co-operation on visa issues with the United Kingdom in the context of the Common Travel Area (CTA). This is exemplified by the operation of the British Irish Visa Scheme in China and India which allows for travel to and around Ireland and the UK on a single visa.
As part of this greater co-operation, the matter of alignment of those States whose citizens are visa required is also being kept under review. The greater the extent of alignment between the two jurisdictions, the greater the opportunity to increase the numbers of tourism and business visits to the CTA. At present, both Ireland and the UK require all citizens of Georgia to be in possession of a visa for travel to their jurisdiction and any proposals for change will need to be considered in this context.
