asked the Minister for Justice the effective operational arrangement between his Department and the British Home Office in relation to the administration of the common passport union between Ireland and England vis-á-vis people coming from Third World countries requiring visas; and if he is satisfied that this arrangement is working to the best interests of Ireland and Ireland's foreign policy particularly in relation to development co-operation internationally.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - British-Irish Passport Union .
28.
: Apart from representations of a general kind that were received from one person by my predecessor in office, there is no record in my Department of representations to the effect that the present legal position concerning leases for purpose-built flats is unsatisfactory. No specific problems have been brought to my notice. Accordingly, I am not aware that the position is as described by the Deputy and I have no proposals for legislation in this area. If I do receive representations——
: On a point of order, am I right in assuming that we have not taken Question No. 28?
: I have called Question No. 28.
: That was a nice try by the Minister, a double duck.
: I assume that what the Deputy is referring to is the long-standing arrangement whereby there is no immigration control on the movement of persons between Britain, Northern Ireland and the State.
As the Minister for Foreign Affairs indicated on 3 June 1980, in answer to a parliamentary question (Dáil Debates, Volume 321, col. 1379), this arrangement necessitates a measure of co-operation between the two immigration services which, incidentally, is formally recognised in the aliens orders. The arrangement is a general one and is not confined to the class of alien referred to by the Deputy.
The co-operation to which I have referred is informal and continuous and I do not propose to attempt to set out the practical details thereof. The arrangement is one which operates to the great advantage of the people of this country and I cannot see how it can affect our foreign policy
: Would the Minister not agree that since this country is spending in the region of £16 million in aid, a substantial amount of which is bilateral aid, there is an urgent necessity to review the traditional arrangement between the Home Office and the Department of Justice because of the prohibition by the British authorities on entry to the UK, and by extension the Republic of Ireland, of people from some of these countries?
: I am satisfied with the existing arrangement and do not intend to change policy in that regard.
: This is a recording.
: In view of the totally unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's replies to Questions Nos. 24 to 28, I propose to raise these matters on the Adjournment.
: I will communicate with the Deputy.