Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Senator's comments. I am happy to keep the House fully informed and will do so, and as far as my responsibilities to the other House are concerned by way of replies to parliamentary questions, in order to provide an appropriate level of information to Members. Again, I am sure everybody will agree that the maintenance and preservation of the integrity of the common travel area continues to be a priority for us here. It has always been a priority for our immigration services. While Brexit has perhaps focused wider attention on the operation of the common travel area, the operational protection of the common travel area has not changed because of the result of the referendum in the United Kingdom.I was pleased only last week to have the opportunity of meeting for the first time the recently appointed Lord Chancellor and Home Secretary, Mr. David Gove, in the United Kingdom. Among the matters we discussed was that of the common travel area and the need to ensure, as the negotiations enter a critical phase, that both the UK and the EU 27 including Ireland continue to prioritise the need to ensure that the unique relationship on the island of Ireland and between the two islands of Ireland and Great Britain continues to operate as was. One of the fundamental pillars of that unique relationship is the common travel area and I welcome the support of all Seanadóirí on that. The continuation of the common travel arrangements, including their physical manifestation which is the open land border between Ireland and Northern Ireland, remains a key objective and a fundamental pillar of the negotiations.

The objectives of our Government and this State are to operate a fair and balanced immigration protection regime. This means that the common travel arrangements and area are not subject or open to any abuse that might ultimately impact adversely upon on undermine their operation. That means there will be appropriate checks, including on the land border. I believe it is important therefore that any appropriate checks that take place from time to time be proportionate and that they be along the lines of ensuring that our immigration protection regime is both fair and balanced. I acknowledge the close working relations between Ireland and the UK on immigration matters.

There are some specific issues in the context of the Brexit negotiations pertaining to home affairs and immigration of which we need to be mindful. I would be happy to keep the House and the Senator informed of developments as they occur. It is important that we continue to ensure that the close working relationship continues. I am confident these efforts will continue in the run-up to the actual withdrawal of the UK from the European Union through the transition period and also beyond it.