asked the Minister for Justice the steps he proposes to take in conjunction with other Ministers with responsibility for emigration and access to the 12 member states of the EC, to ensure that a common and agreed policy of access for persons coming from third countries is established within the EC; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Third Country Immigrants to EC.
15.
Access to the Community by citizens of third countries is one of the topics dealt with at meetings of EC Ministers with responsibility for immigration. The Ministers meet twice a year and senior officials of the member states dealing with immigration also meet on a regular basis.
To date, Ministers and their officials have been considering topics in relation to third country nationals such as (a) harmonisation of visa lists, (b) countering forged travel documents, (c) dealing with asylum applications and (d) strengthening of the external borders of the Community.
Policy in relation to third country nationals will continue to be considered at future meetings. At this stage, however, it is not possible to say to what extent common and agreed policies will be adopted in relation to nationals of third countries. The important point is that, while the position continues to be updated by national laws, the structure for consultation, and agreement where appropriate, is in existence and that I take an active part in it.