Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the discussions he has had to date concerning the logistics of allowing Irish senior citizens in Britain to have access to free travel when they return on visits to Ireland; if he is close to finalising details for such a proposal; the timeframe for its introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23015/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The free travel scheme is available to all people living in the State aged 66 years or over. It is also available to carers and to people with disabilities who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments. It applies to travel within the State and cross-Border journeys between here and Northern Ireland.

There have been a number of proposals for extending entitlement for free travel to people living outside Ireland, particularly the UK. During a recent visit to the UK I discussed the logistics of such a recognition scheme with bodies representing the Irish in Britain. With regard to making free travel available to Irish senior citizens living in Britain, consideration has to be given to the EU treaty's prohibition on discrimination on grounds of nationality. This could mean that, if the scheme were extended along the lines suggested, it may have to be extended to all pensioners who are EU nationals coming to Ireland for temporary stays.

However, while mindful of possible legal issues, I intend to continue to pursue the logistical elements of such a scheme, as I view it as important in the overall recognition of the contribution of Irish senior citizens over several decades to the growth and prosperity of this country.