Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2022
707. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Justice if it is permissible for seafarers who obtain transit visas from the UK authorities to cross the Border on this island and board vessels in ports in this State without any prior notification of the relevant authorities in this State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32652/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra708. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Justice if her Department will consider the findings of a recent report (details supplied) on the abuse of UK transit visas in the engagement of migrant fishers and citations with it that fishers who have been engaged on these visas have subsequently been engaged to work in this State as opposed to in the UK; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32653/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 707 and 708 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, I have no role in the administration of immigration matters of any other jurisdiction. Any queries relating to immigration matters in another jurisdiction should be addressed to the immigration authorities of that jurisdiction.
I note the content of the referred to briefing document, which is addressed to Immigration and Fisheries policymakers in the United Kingdom. Clearly, any allegation of persons being smuggled or trafficked and exploited for their labour in this jurisdiction is of great concern.
The Deputy will be aware that there is close and ongoing cooperation at strategic and operational level between Irish and UK authorities to ensure that the Common Travel Area is not abused in this way. Any further consideration required of the matters raised in the briefing document can be addressed as part of that ongoing cooperation.
The cross-departmental group recently completed its work on the Review of the Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) for Sea Fishers and its report remains under active consideration by the relevant Departments, with a view to bringing recommendations to Government in the near future.
As part of its work, the Review Group consulted with various stakeholders involved in the scheme. Observations on the operation of the scheme were made by stakeholders either via meetings with the Review Group and/or submissions received. Almost all stakeholders provided observations on the scheme.
In the meantime, the Oversight Committee, chaired by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine continues to oversee the scheme as currently structured.
