Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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93. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will report on any discussions she has had with the British Government regarding the free movement of persons following the Brexit vote; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19477/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Since the result of the UK referendum, there have been a number of discussions at Government and official level with our British counterparts on the consequences of the UK vote to leave the EU. The UK is in the process of formulating its negotiating position on withdrawal from the EU and thus it is not yet clear what the implications of a withdrawal would be for the free movement of persons.

In relation to the Common Travel Area, this is an important feature of the close relationship between Ireland and the UK with long-established benefits for trade and tourism between our two countries. Both Governments have publicly declared their commitment to preserving the Common Travel Area and to ensuring no return to a so-called 'hard border' on the island of Ireland.