Ireland and the United Kingdom (UK) share a long history and common interest in the effective operation of the Common Travel Area (CTA) and work together to prevent any abuses of the CTA.
My Department chairs a Common Travel Area Forum (CTAF) with the UK Home Office which 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 comprises officials of both my Department and the UK Home Office, together with relevant operational colleagues. It is jointly chaired by the respective Heads of Immigration functions on both sides. No non-governmental organisations attend.