Joe Flaherty
Ceist:421. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make arrangements with the Singapore government for a vaccinated travel lane (details supplied). [52396/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 2 November 2021
Ceisteanna (421)
Freagraí scríofa
The Government is committed to doing everything possible to support and facilitate the resumption of safe international air travel, and especially to ensure that Irish citizens living abroad are able to return home to Ireland for visits and to reunite with friends and family here. I know that this is a matter of great concern for the approximately 5,000 members of our Irish community in Singapore.
As the Deputy will be aware, passengers arriving from third countries are no longer required to quarantine if they can provide evidence of vaccination or recovery. This applies to passengers coming to Ireland from Singapore.
Singapore determines its own policies and regulations on who can enter that country and what measures and conditions apply. Ireland is currently in Category II in the Singapore Government Safe Travel system, meaning that vaccinated Irish citizens living in Singapore who re-enter Singapore from Ireland are required to serve a 7-day ‘Stay Home Notice’ at their place of residence.
The Government is aware of the ‘Vaccinated Travel Lane’ arrangements that Singapore has recently announced with a number of countries. Our Embassy in Singapore has approached the authorities in Singapore and made a formal request that quarantine-free entry be extended to vaccinated travellers from Ireland. We are asking that this be facilitated either through the Vaccinated Travel Lane arrangement or as part of a broader approach to entry of vaccinated travellers. Our Ambassador to Singapore has been advised by the Singapore authorities that this matter is under active consideration. The Embassy will continue to prioritise this issue, with a view to supporting Ireland’s community in Singapore.