Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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We have to do more in this space. This was not always the way and, in fact, this is a relatively recent phenomenon whereby the trends have changed. There has been a lot of focus on the airports and I am pleased to say a lot of that focus and resource directed towards checks at the airports has yielded positive results in terms of a reduction in the number of people arriving without documents, increased fines and a greater Garda presence, which has been good. Now, the number of people coming through the airports as a percentage is significantly diminished, which means we now have to have a focus on other areas. There is already collaboration between the PSNI and the Garda and, as Taoiseach, I intend to scrutinise that as to whether there is an ability to do more there. A structure is in place between the UK and Ireland relating to the common travel area and a group, including justice officials, oversees that and is due to meet shortly. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, is due to meet her counterpart, the British Home Secretary, shortly, possibly as soon as next week.

It is, as the Deputy said, a very sensitive issue. We are very proud of the fact there is no hard border on the island of Ireland, which we all worked very hard to ensure, and it is beyond doubt that we should maintain that. Even within that construct, however, there has to be an ability to work and collaborate better between the UK and Ireland and between the PSNI and the Garda.