Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

Some countries apply that rule but it can only be applied outside the EU, not within Union. I think I made that point clear. One can only apply that kind of validity beyond the journey date outside the EU but within the EU it cannot be applied. I am not clear about Lanzarote. I understand that while Lanzarote is technically part of the EU, it may have some protocols arising from Spanish accession, making its visa and migration matters somewhat different. I am not au fait with what those might be. The requirement that a passport must be valid for six months after entry cannot be applied within the EU. In other words — unfortunately or fortunately, depending on which way one looks at it — the garda in County Carlow was correct in proffering that advice to the citizen who inquired. All one requires to leave this country is a valid passport on the date of departure and there is no requirement for it to be valid after that. Clearly, however, if one wants to get on a plane or boat in the other country to return here, those authorities may seek the production of a valid passport. Within the EU, some airlines ask for valid passports. Outside the EU it is an absolute requirement. For example, if one is waiting in JFK airport hoping to get on a plane home, one must produce a valid passport. A valid passport is one that is in date, not out of date. Therefore, merely carrying a passport that declares the holder to be an Irish citizen does not carry much weight once it is out of date.

I will attempt to take up the Schengen issue. Although I am not quite clear about the matter the Senator raised, if he communicates with me directly on it, I will take it up.