Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2017
803. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the countries covered in the British-Irish visa scheme or other visa schemes Ireland has in conjunction with the UK with third countries; and the dates at which the agreements are due to expire. [27929/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra804. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he or his officials have met with her UK counterpart to discuss the impact of Brexit on the British-Irish visa scheme; his views on whether Brexit will invalidate the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27930/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra805. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his Department is examining the possibility of a new visa free entry scheme with China and India in view of the threats to the British-Irish visa scheme posed by Brexit. [27931/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra807. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his officials have met with their UK counterparts to discuss the impact of Brexit on the Irish short stay visa waiver programme; his views on whether Brexit will invalidate the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28111/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra808. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is exploring the possibility of a new visa free entry scheme (details supplied) in view of the threats to the Irish short stay visa waiver programme posed by Brexit. [28112/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 803 to 805, inclusive, 807 and 808 together.
The British Irish Visa Scheme (BIVS) is underpinned by a Memorandum of Understanding drawn up between my Department and the UK Home Office. Its purpose is two fold – firstly, to make it easier for short stay travellers, including those coming for tourism and business, to visit both Ireland and the UK (and the North and South of the Island) without the need for two separate visas; secondly, it enhances the security of the Common Travel Area through sharing of biometric and biographical data in respect of the applicants from the countries that are part of the scheme.
It is also important to note that the visa regime in Ireland (and the UK) is a national competency as neither of our countries participate in the border aspects of the Schengen Acquis. Thus, it would not be expected to directly feature in any article 50 negotiations.
I should point out that in the context of 'Brexit', while it is not possible at this juncture to say what arrangements will apply between the UK and the EU in general (as this will ultimately be a matter that will feature within the negotiation process), what I can make clear is that we will continue to maintain and enhance cooperation with the UK in relation to the operation of the Common Travel Area, including the operation of the visa regime.
Both the Irish and UK Governments have publicly declared their commitment to maintaining the Common Travel Area and to ensuring that there will be no return to a so-called 'hard border' on the island of Ireland. Furthermore, the EU Negotiation Guidelines adopted by the European Council on 29 April refer to the Union's commitment to the unique circumstances of the island of Ireland including the aim of avoiding a hard border. The Guidelines also state that the Union should recognise existing bilateral agreements and arrangements between the UK and Ireland which are compatible with EU law.
I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the BIVS operates in China and India. There is no expiry period established for the Scheme. Rather, it is the intention to complete the formal evaluation of the Scheme very shortly and agree with the UK authorities on its future roll-out to other countries.
The BIVS builds on the success of Ireland's Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme which was first introduced in 2011, and extended last October for a further five years to 31st October, 2021. The Programme allows nationals of the 18 countries listed in the table below to travel to Ireland for a short stay using a valid UK visit. This is an Irish initiative and is not reciprocated by the UK as it is expected that over time the BIVS will supersede the Waiver Programme. Again, it is not envisaged that the Brexit negotiations will impinge on these arrangements.
Short Stay Visa Waiver Programme countries:
|
Countries |
- |
- |
|
Bahrain |
Belarus |
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
|
India |
Kazakhstan |
Kuwait |
|
Montenegro |
Oman |
People's Republic of China |
|
Qatar |
Russian Federation |
Saudi Arabia |
|
Serbia |
Thailand |
Turkey |
|
Ukraine |
United Arab Emirates |
Uzbekistan |
Regular meetings to discuss immigration matters relating to the Common Travel Area, including the operation of visa arrangements between our jurisdictions, have taken place between my Department and the UK Home Office and these are scheduled to continue. Such meetings have included contact at both Ministerial and official level. This co-operation is indeed exemplified by the operation of the British Irish Visa Scheme which has been a major success in attracting increased visitor numbers from the countries involved.
