Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

66. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his position on recent proposals from some members of the European Commission that a European-Union-wide reform of current visa policy should take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41925/13]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Will the Minister tell us his plans in regard to the Schengen agreement? How will the new procedures, which will start with the United Kingdom next year, operate? Does he foresee our responding to the recent proposals of Commissioners Tajani and Malmström for a common short-stay visa programme for the 28 EU members rather than for non-Schengen members?

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Regulation (EC) No. 810/2009 establishing a community code on visas, known as the Visa Code, regulates the EU common visa policy. I am not aware of any formal legislative proposals for reform from the European Commission Directorate-General for Home Affairs, which has responsibility for policy in this area. The Deputy may be referring to an article published by the Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry recently which put forward some proposals in regard to visas and tourism. In any event, the relevant regulation falls within the scope of Title V (Area of Freedom, Justice and Security) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and, therefore, Ireland was not automatically bound by the provisions of the regulation. Ireland has not to date exercised its option to participate in the regulation and does not, consequently, participate in the current common visa policy which is the subject of the Deputy's question.

It is long established Government policy that Ireland will only participate in immigration-related measures falling under Title V to the extent that is compatible with the common travel area, CTA, shared by ourselves and the United Kingdom. Participation in the common visa policy would mean that Ireland would, in turn, be required to participate in the Schengen Agreement on border controls. The fact is that the CTA could not continue to operate if Ireland were to participate in the Schengen Agreement while the United Kingdom did not.

This is particularly relevant given the Government's focus on maximising to the greatest possible extent the potential of the CTA. This is evidenced by the Irish short-stay visa waiver programme for holders of certain categories of UK visa, which this Government introduced in July 2011. In the 18 months following the introduction of the programme, visits from the countries covered by it increased by approximately 38%. Building on this measure, work is ongoing on the development of short-stay CTA visa arrangements which would allow tourists and business visitors to travel to the CTA, with first arrival in either jurisdiction, and thereafter to travel freely both within the island of Ireland and between Ireland and the UK. In other words, the outer perimeter of the CTA would operate like a mini-Schengen zone. This would represent a historic breakthrough in the manner in which the CTA operates. It is planned for the roll-out of such arrangements to take place in 2014. Prior to their introduction, the necessary technical and operational arrangements, including the capture of biometrics for visa applicants, need to be put in place between the two jurisdictions.

All of this having been said, my Department keeps under review Ireland's position as regards all measures adopted under Title V of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union in line with Government priorities and policies as necessary and participates in discussions on the common visa policy at the visa working party of the Council.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

With regard to the short-stay visa waiver programme, some time ago the Minister told one of my colleagues that he did not keep data for visitors who had first come through the United Kingdom on a UK visa. Is this still policy? The Minister read a figure showing the increase in tourists from some of the 17 countries involved such as India and China. Clearly he is liaising closely with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Minister, Deputy Leo Varadkar, in that regard. It was introduced initially as part of the jobs initiative plan in the middle of 2011. Does the Minister have any intention of changing this and seeing how we can maximise the amount of additional visitors? It was in L'Express that the Commission first mooted this proposal for a wide-ranging programme for the European Union in general for the areas not covered by the Schengen agreement. It was part of the European economic recovery programme to boost tourism revenue by €500 billion.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have a simple view which is that we should do whatever is practical and possible to increase the number of tourists and business visitors to the country, but we must do so in the context of agreed arrangements with the United Kingdom for the common travel area. This is the subject of ongoing discussions and as I stated, I expect new announcements to be made in this regard in 2014.

The Central Statistics Office figures for tourist visas in respect of the countries covered by the visa waiver programme indicate that such visits increased by almost 21% in the 12 months after the introduction of the programme compared to the number in the 12 months preceding it. Comparing the figures for 2010, the last full year before the programme was introduced, with those for 2012, the increase is 38%. The programme has been widely welcomed by tourism promotion agencies and tour operators. The retail sector has stated an increase in tourists from the countries mentioned is visibly apparent and some major retail outlets are now starting to employ individuals with the linguistic skills to facilitate our additional new visitors from some of the relevant countries. I will maintain a continuing interest in considering what we can do to extend the number of visitors to this country and participate closely with our European Union colleagues. We must do this in the context of preserving the common travel area. The last thing we need to do is create a situation where borders will be reimposed between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. These are all important considerations in how we deal with matters.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Question No. 67 is in the name of Deputy Sean Fleming but the Deputy is not present. The next question tabled by a Deputy who is present in the Chamber is Question No. 77 which is in the name of Deputy Mick Wallace.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On a point of order, I am alarmed by this. The new system to guarantee five questions for each spokesperson is not in place today, but the rule under which questions fall if the Deputies who tabled them are not present has been introduced. This means that spokespersons have limited opportunities to raise issues. There is a miscommunication. I ask for some latitude from the Chair on this occasion as it is the first time we are dealing with this new process.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I cannot do so because there was a vote on the Standing Orders involved. We can take up this issue-----

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Deputy Sean Fleming is here now.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I have to press this issue because it is very important. I have two questions. First, was it communicated to party Whips that all Deputies with questions on the Order Paper would have to be present today? Second, why is it the case that we, as spokespersons, have not been guaranteed five questions? If the new rules are in place, they are in place. If the Chair is saying Standing Orders have been passed, they state clearly that there should be five questions. The five questions for my party have not been guaranteed. I asked just one question.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

That is not the rule.

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

That is what has been implemented.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

No, it is not. Five are included in the lottery.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I will say briefly that the Whips were informed. On the Deputy's second question, it is a lottery. The Deputy is next. I ask him to introduce his question. He has 30 seconds.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Forty.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Thirty.

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I want to-----

Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy was not here when the question was called.

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I wonder whether there is a feud. I was being courteous to my colleague by letting him speak.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This is reform, lads.

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This is reform. I was being courteous to my colleague by letting him speak, but now because of that, I cannot ask a question in the Chamber. We have not yet moved on to the next question.

Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

We have. The Deputy was not here. He missed the opportunity.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I call Deputy Mick Wallace who has 30 seconds to introduce his question.