Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 164: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether the Schengen Agreement should apply here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43532/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Schengen Convention is an agreement among European states which allows for the abolition of systematic border controls between participating countries. It also includes provisions on common policy on the temporary entry of persons, the harmonisation of external border controls, and cross-border police and judicial co-operation.

Ireland has successfully applied to take part in the police and judicial co-operation aspects of the agreement. These provisions will come into effect only after a range of technical and legislative measures have been put in place. The measures which will enable Ireland to meet its Schengen requirements are currently being progressed.

Ireland has not, however, applied to participate in the Schengen arrangements to the extent that they deal with the abolition of border checks. This decision has been taken to maintain the common travel area (CTA) with the United Kingdom which remains a priority for Ireland. The common travel area could not continue to operate if Ireland were to remove border checks with Schengen States generally while the United Kingdom did not do so. To do so would result in a situation where the land border with Northern Ireland would become the border between the Schengen area and the United Kingdom.