Ceist:
248 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will sign an agreement similar to the attached correspondence (details supplied). [16398/00]
Written Answers. - Proposed Agreement.
The proposed agreement between the United Kingdom and France facilitates the placing of British immigration officers at Eurostar rail departure points in France to check UK bound passengers with reciprocal arrangements for French immigration officers at UK Eurostar departure points.
The question of a similar type agreement with France does not arise given that there are no direct rail links between Ireland and that jurisdiction. In so far as direct rail links with Northern Ireland are concerned it would not be possible to impose systematic, as distinct from occasional, checks on rail passengers from Northern Ireland given the existence of a common travel area between the respective jurisdictions which is of enormous value and relevance to the island of Ireland and Irish people generally.
In a wider context, as I announced on 8 May 2000, the Government, as part of a number of measures agreed in relation to asylum, refugees and immigration matters, approved the strengthening of Garda international liaison arrangements by the placing of Garda liaison officers in London and Paris for the purpose of interacting with local law enforcement authorities on, inter alia, immigration matters and in that regard, with particular emphasis on combating trafficking activity and on departures from major embarkation points to Ireland. As the vast majority of asylum seekers arrive in the State via the United Kingdom or France, the Government recognises that a strengthening of international liaison with those countries, in particular, will be important in identifying immigration trends and flows and other immigration related activities.
In addition, I met with the British Home Secretary yesterday to discuss matters of mutual interest, including further co-operation in immigration matters generally and I will be having a similar meeting with the French Interior Minister on 19 June 2000.