Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 May 2021
172. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on Ireland's position with regard to the implementation of the Digital Green Certificate for EU-wide travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28904/21]
View answer173. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland's non-membership of the Schengen area due to the Common Travel Area with the UK status will cause further delays to the implementation of the digital green certificate process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28907/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 173 together.
On 17 March 2021, the European Commission published its proposal for a Regulation to introduce a ‘Digital Green Certificate’ to facilitate free movement in the EU, described as a common framework for the issuance, verification and acceptance of certificates relating to vaccination, testing and recovery. Trilogue discussions were held between the European Parliament and the Council which concluded last week with the agreement of a text which will now proceed through the remaining stages of the EU legislative process. This includes the renaming of the Digital Green Certificate to the EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC).
The Government has been clear in expressing its support for the EU Digital COVID Certificate proposal and welcomes the agreement now reached between the Council and European Parliament which will enable roll-out of the system and Digital COVID Certificates to begin to be issued to EU citizens in the coming weeks. July 1 has been set as the date for introduction of the system though the legislation now agreed provides a six-week transition period for Member States to complete all arrangements necessary to allow them to issue Certificates. The Minister for Health will advise in due course when the issuance of Digital COVID Certificates can commence in Ireland.
In Ireland, work to prepare for the implementation of the EUDCC continues in parallel to the legislative work and is being led by the Department of Health. The Department of Health are making all necessary operational, legal and communication arrangements accompanying the introduction of this regulation. The Department of Health hold regular meetings with the HSE to plan and discuss the technical development of the system and engage regularly with EU counterparts through the eHealth Network. A Senior Officials Sub-Group has also been established by the Department of the Taoiseach involving a broad range of Departments to establish national policy in relation to the proposal.
With regards to Ireland’s non-membership of the Schengen Area, the regulation now agreed focuses on facilitating free movement during the COVID-19 pandemic and also includes provisions, with a Schengen legal basis, for Third Country Nationals (TCN) legally staying or residing in EU Member States. The relevant element for Ireland in the regulation ensures that certs issued to third-country nationals resident in Ireland will be automatically recognised by Schengen Member States provided that Ireland recognises in a reciprocal manner. It is intended to ensure that the 300,000 third-country nationals who are legally staying or legally residing in Ireland are eligible to be issued such certificates in line with the regulation and work is underway by Department of Health regarding this matter.
