Feargal Quinn (Independent)

This section concerns emergency travel facilities. One reason we need them more than other countries is because we have refused to sign up to the Schengen Agreement. Twenty-four other countries have done so. I urge the Minister of State to consider seriously the manner in which we can approach this issue. Both Ireland and the United Kingdom did not sign up to the original Schengen convention that allows free travel between the signatory states. We retained the right to opt out of the application of the rules after their conversion into European law. We have not ended border controls for passengers from other EU member states and we subscribe to the measures relating to police and judicial co-operation, which form part of the Schengen acquis.

Border posts and checks have been removed in the states within the Schengen area in respect of passengers from those states. The common Schengen visa allows tourists or other visitors access to the whole area. Holders of a residents permit to a Schengen state enjoy freedom of travel to all other Schengen states for a period of up to three months.

The reason we decided in 1990 not to subscribe to the agreement was very simple; we were already part of a common travel area involving the United Kingdom, which decided not to sign up to the agreement. Ireland had to pick one of the two common travel areas and it seemed the one in which we already were would be more valuable. This may have been the case at the time but it is no longer so. I suggest that we put in place a structure under which we can reopen our discussion on this important issue. Clearly, a more careful examination of the pros and cons is required and we should therefore seriously consider setting up an independent commission of some sort to do so.

There are two main reasons we should change horses at this stage. The first is that the benefits of the common travel area including the United Kingdom are being whittled away. Passengers travelling between the two countries have, for many years, been liable to police inspection at either end. It is not only the case between the two countries but between the two islands. Passengers are often required to prove their identity, so much so that the carrying of passports between the two countries became advisable as a way of avoiding hassle. As we know, and as stated by Senator Cummins, passengers from Cork could not even return to Cork from their point of origin yesterday because they did not have passports on them.

The latest news in this regard is that the UK authorities intend to tighten the controls on their jurisdiction and to draw the line around the border of the island of Britain. Their approach is so drastic that they are prepared to exclude not only the Republic of Ireland but the whole island of Ireland. This has infuriated many from the Unionist population. It is becoming very clear that the UK authorities are prepared to put up barriers between Northern Ireland and Britain rather than face the considerable expense and inconvenience of trying to control a land frontier. This means we will be guaranteed free travel across the Border into Northern Ireland while our common travel arrangement with mainland Britain — I dislike using the phrase "mainland Britain" but will do so in this case — will become meaningless.

The private sector has also played a part in undermining the common travel arrangement between Ireland and Britain. The airline Ryanair has imposed strict photographic identification requirements on all passengers, regardless of their destination, which means most Irish citizens must carry their passports to be allowed on a plane travelling to almost any Ryanair destination. Owing to the actions of the Special Branch and Ryanair, our common travel area, over a number of years, has become a common travel area in name only. One needs a passport to travel from this island to the other and that is the reality today.

We should detach ourselves altogether from the common travel area involving the United Kingdom and instead join the much bigger common travel area that already exists across Europe. This reflects the belief of all of us, namely, that our future lies in being European rather than being linked to one country. I had tabled an amendment to address this issue but I am pleased the Acting Chairman allowed me to make this point. The Clerk is looking aghast having allowed me to get away with saying so much.