Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 10 Dec 1996

Vol. 472 No. 6

Written Answers. - EU Visa and Passport Policy.

Noel Davern

Ceist:

176 Mr. Davern asked the Minister for Justice the action, if any, she has taken to ensure a standard format for visas for non-EU nationals entering the countries of the EU and the flexibility accorded student tourists wishing to work all around Europe. [23913/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

On 29 May 1995 acting on a proposal from the Commission in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty establishing the European Community, the Council adopted a regulation laying down a uniform format for visas, Council Regulation (EC) No. 1683/95 of 29 May 1995. The regulation provides that visas issued by the member states shall be produced in a uniform format to the specifications set out in the annex to the regulation. It is also provided that further technical specifications which render the visa difficult to counterfeit or falsify shall be laid down and that the Commission shall be assisted by an expert committee composed of the representatives of the member states and chaired by the representative of the Commission. It is intended that the standard format for visas will be introduced in all the member states as soon as the technical work is completed.

Noel Davern

Ceist:

177 Mr. Davern asked the Minister for Justice the action, if any, she has taken to further Ireland's position within the EU on the issue of requiring passports for travel within the countries of the EU. [23915/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

Last year the European Commission adopted a package of proposals for directives for the elimination of controls on persons at the internal frontiers of the European Union. The proposals were made, and are being considered, within the context of the completion of the internal market and not within the framework of the Third Pillar of Justice and Home Affairs. The Commission, in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty establishing the European Community, has also consulted the European Parliament on the proposals. I am aware that the views of the Parliament were made available recently to the Commission and it is a matter now for the Commission, having considered these and any other relevant views, to indicate how it wishes the proposals to be developed further. It has been made clear at all times during the course of the Irish Presidency of the European Union that the Presidency is ready to facilitate the consideration of any proposed developments.

The majority of member states, including Ireland, support the objective of adopting measures with the aim of establishing an internal market in which the free movement of persons as well as goods, capital and services is ensured as envisaged in Article 8a of the Treaty. Britain, however, interprets Article 8a to mean that, while controls on EU nationals must be abolished, member states continue to be free to subject third country nationals to controls at the internal frontiers.

However, whatever the differences in interpretation, the need to protect the citizens of the Union against the possibility of the proposed greater freedom being exploited by criminals is recognised by all member states. Discussions have been taking place with a view to ensuring that appropriate compensatory measures are put in place in the areas of organised crime, drug trafficking, terrorism and illegal immigration. Indeed, the proposals from the Commission recognise the fact that the elimination of controls on persons require essential accompanying compensatory measures.