Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2021
678. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on Ireland’s engagement and role in the US administration formed expert working groups with Canada, Mexico, the European Union and the United Kingdom to determine the best way to safely restart travel (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31915/21]
View answerMatters related to expert working groups on restarting travel formed by the US Administration are the responsibility of US authorities. However, ease of travel is vital to our economic relationships and for building connections across the Atlantic. We continue to engage with the US State Department, primarily via our Embassy in Washington D.C., on travel, and the associated restrictions, between our two countries. My Department also continues to engage closely with the US Chargé d’Affaires and her team at the US Embassy in Dublin.
I raised the issue of resumption of travel between our two countries in my contacts with the US Administration, including during my meeting with US National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan in May. We agreed that it is important that we restore connectivity with the US as soon as it is feasible, and safe, to do so. Together with other EU countries, we have also written to US Secretary of State Blinken requesting reconsideration of the US travel restrictions currently in place.
Ireland is deeply committed to people-to-people links with the US. We will work to ensure that the restrictions will not have any long-term impact on existing channels of migration, exchange and tourism which benefit our countries significantly. We are particularly keen that the current travel restrictions will not negatively impact the future of the J1 and Working Holiday Agreement programmes. I look forward to working with the US again to promote travel between our countries, once the Covid-19 crisis has abated, and in accordance with public health advice.
