Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 June 2021
102. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the preparations made by the Government for the recommencement of international travel in Ireland and plans to allow for usage of the EU digital Covid certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33759/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government continues to advise against all non-essential international travel to and from Ireland. The Government announced on 28 May that subject to the prevailing epidemiological situation, international travel will resume on 19 July.
The EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC), previously called the Digital Green Certificate, is intended to facilitate freedom of movement across the EU and to allow for the progressive lifting, in a coordinated way, of travel restrictions, subject to prevailing medical and scientific advice in each Member State. The Regulation is expected to come into force on July 1. All Member States will have a six-week phasing in period in order to become compliant with the Regulation. The new Certificate will not become a pre-condition to free movement across the EU. Persons travelling without a EUDCC can still travel, but may be subject to limitations such as enhanced testing, quarantine or self-isolation.
The Department of the Taoiseach has established a group, involving a broad range of Departments, in relation to this proposal. The Department of Health is working on the required legal instruments. On the Certificate itself, the HSE. in cooperation with the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer is developing the IT and required operational procedures.
From 19 July, Ireland will broadly align itself to the EU approach to non-essential travel into the EU from third countries (outside EU/EAA). To protect citizens against the importation of variants, an ‘emergency brake’ mechanism will be co-ordinated at EU level to react swiftly to the emergence of a variant of concern or variant of interest.
