Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Any statements made to date by the UK make it clear that it wishes to maintain the common travel area. The common travel area arrangements do not just cover travel without a passport, but also cover, for example, the right of a citizen of the country concerned to travel and work or go to a university. It is the job of the Government to ensure that our EU partners understand the particular issue relating to Northern Ireland, the Border and, of course, the peace process, which has to be maintained - nothing should be seen as a threat to that.

The Deputy rightly raises the issue of immigration matters and travel across the islands. In our meeting with the Secretary of State, Mr. David Davis, MP, the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, and I both reiterated the importance of maintaining the common travel area. Detailed issues need to be addressed. The UK Government is at an early point in identifying its approaches. Article 50 has not yet been triggered and probably will not be until January or February. There will be considerable detailed work to ensure there is no return to the so-called hard Border. That is certainly our position on the island of Ireland.

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