Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 228: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the fact that membership of the Schengen Agreement would be of enormous benefit to tourism; if serious consideration will be given to signing the agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18128/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Schengen Convention is an agreement among some European Member States which allows for the abolition of systematic border controls between the participating countries. It also includes provisions on a 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 necessary measures 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 with the United Kingdom which remains an important priority for the Irish Government. The common travel area could not, for all intents and purposes, continue to operate if Ireland were to remove border checks with the Schengen States while the United Kingdom did not. To do so would result in a situation where the land border with Northern Ireland would become the effective border between the Schengen zone and the United Kingdom and as a consequence, would inevitably require, the imposition of border controls on the island of Ireland.

I am sure the Deputy would agree that, while there may in theory be benefits in terms of tourism, for Ireland to participate in the border aspects of the Schengen Agreement there are also clear negative implications for such a decision if taken on a unilateral basis.