Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
570. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on all discussions he has held with British authorities on the Implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact and its impact on the common travel area, including the date of each engagement, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73683/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland and the United Kingdom share a long history and common interest in the effective operation of the Common Travel Area (CTA). The invisible border on the island of Ireland is among the most tangible gains of the peace process and is essential to the continuing normalisation of relationships. Maintaining the integrity of the CTA and preventing its abuse in the context of immigration is an issue that I and my officials prioritise in our engagements with my United Kingdom (UK) counterparts.
Since my appointment as Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, I have had a number of engagements with the then UK Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, where we discussed cooperation in respect of managing the Common Travel Area, and our shared objectives to provide for effective management of migration and border security. Importantly, we had in those engagements been able to reflect on the extensive engagement, cooperation and data-sharing at all levels between my Department’s officials and their Home Office counterparts, as well as the significant operational cooperation between the Gardaí, UK Border Force, UK policing services and the Police Service of Northern Ireland in relation to both immigration and criminal matters.
The Common Travel Area Forum (CTAF) acts as a steering committee for the ongoing work of protecting the CTA in relation to free movement of its citizens between both countries while at the same time ensuring that the CTA is not abused by those not entitled to avail of it. The Forum meets twice yearly but also meets more frequently in sub-group format to address particular elements of Ireland/UK co-operation, bringing together relevant subject matter expertise in various areas, such as Asylum. Regular updates on policy and operational developments in each jurisdiction, including the implementation of the EU Asylum and Migration Pact, are exchanged in these meetings.
This strong practical engagement and cooperation serves the mutual interests of both Ireland and the UK. I am looking forward to engaging with the current Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, in the coming weeks where this important engagement will continue.
The following table details meetings I have had with my UK authorities in the past year at which such matters were considered.
|
Date |
Meeting |
|
03/03/2025 |
Call with Home Secretary |
|
06/03/2025 |
UK-IE Summit |
|
31/03/2025 |
Border Security Summit |
|
24/04/2025 |
British Irish Intergovernmental Conference |
|
17/11/2025 |
British Irish Intergovernmental Conference |
|
10/12/2025 |
Bi-lateral meeting with the UK Deputy Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, the Rt Hon David Lammy MP, and Attorney General for England and Wales Richard Hermer KC. |
