Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 April 2022
95. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has made representations to the UK authorities in relation to proposals to oblige residents in this State who are not Irish or UK nationals to apply for visa waivers or visas to enter Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18596/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has a number of concerns regarding the proposed Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme set out in the UK’s draft Nationality and Borders Bill. I discussed those concerns in detail with Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at a meeting of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference in Dublin in March. As currently drafted, the Bill would provide that the UK’s immigration rules may require that non-Irish and non-British citizens obtain an ETA before travelling to the UK, including for journeys across the land border with Northern Ireland. As the Deputy will be aware, the movement of people on the island of Ireland, particularly in border areas, is unique. Many thousands of people cross the border every day in the course of their daily lives, including to access essential services, for business, tourism, for family reasons and for travel from one part of Ireland to another. This is something which the Irish and British Governments recognised and committed to in Strand 2 of the Good Friday Agreement.The introduction of the proposed ETA scheme for cross-border journeys could cause considerable disruption to the lives and livelihoods of many people across the island who are not Irish or British citizens, particularly those residing in border areas. The scheme could have a significant impact on tourism in Northern Ireland with over two-thirds of visitors from mainland Europe and the United States arriving in Northern Ireland via this jurisdiction. There are potential implications also for cross-border healthcare, education, and integrated supply chains.The House of Commons voted on 22 March against an amendment from the House of Lords, which would have exempted cross-border journeys to Northern Ireland from the proposed ETA requirements.Since this proposal emerged, the Government has been engaging with the British Government to make clear our concerns with regard to the ETA scheme. As mentioned, I raised them directly with the Secretary of State at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference in March. I highlighted the complexities that such a scheme would present for cross-border travel, as well as the serious implications for daily lives and livelihoods.This legislation is not yet finalised and will continue to be debated in Westminster. We will continue to engage at official and political level with British Government counterparts in respect to our concerns. We will encourage the British Government to reconsider their approach and to apply exceptions to their ETA proposals.
