Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 November 2016
56. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the discussions that have taken place with the United Kingdom Government with regard to the control of non-European Union immigration post Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34657/16]
View answerIt has always been the case that Ireland and the United Kingdom cooperate closely on immigration matters, in particular as they relate to securing the Common Travel Area (CTA) and we will continue to cooperate, and to strengthen that cooperation, in the future. Both Governments have publicly declared their commitment to ensuring no return to a so-called 'hard border' on the island of Ireland. There are excellent relations at official and political level in relation to enhancing the operation of the Common Travel Area and we are committed to that continuing.
In that regard, a central feature of the operation of the CTA has been that each State enforces the other's conditions of landing for non-EEA nationals, thus protecting each other's borders. In addition, cooperation extends across a number of other areas including the sharing of information and at an operational level on enforcement. For example, on the information front, earlier this year new arrangements to allow for the sharing of Advanced Passenger Information between Ireland and the UK in order to further enhance the integrity of the Common Travel Area were introduced. The development of the British-Irish Visa System was facilitated by this arrangement and indeed could not have happened without the electronic sharing of information such as biometrics.
The practical impact of BREXIT on the operation of the CTA, including in respect of Non-EEA nationals, is being considered between officials of the Department and the UK Home Office, including at meetings of the Common Travel Area Forum jointly chaired by the Director General of the INIS and his UK counterpart.
