Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 February 2023
340. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice whether he agrees the rules should be changed to allow those legally resident in Northern Ireland to travel to the Republic of Ireland without restrictions. [7859/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangement between Ireland and the UK is primarily for the benefit of Irish and UK nationals, CTA cooperation has brought benefits for certain groups of visa required nationals, notably in respect of the Short Stay Visa Waiver programme and the British Irish Visa Scheme.
Non visa required nationals resident in Northern Ireland can travel and remain in the State for a month without requiring permission to remain, in accordance with section 4(5)(d) of the Immigration Act 2004. Northern Ireland residents who are visa required to enter the State must apply for the appropriate visa. Generally, where people are legally resident in the UK and meet the criteria for the visa in question they are granted the appropriate visa.
While there are no plans to alter the visa regime in the short-term, the situation is kept under review. Officials from my Department, together with the Departments of the Taoiseach and Foreign Affairs, have met with representatives of the North West Migrants Forum in recent months to hear their concerns as non-citizen residents. The matters raised are being considered further.
