Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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66. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has contacted the relevant departments in the United States administration regarding the ongoing matter of the recently introduced travel ban, especially its implementation in Irish airports through preclearance facilities, in order to discuss the matter and its effect on persons who travel from Irish airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6100/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​Firstly, I would like to state that I strongly disagree with the policy recently announced by President Trump to temporarily ban travel to the US by nationals of certain countries.  As you know, there is currently a suspension in place for this Executive Order, which is the subject of an appeal at a US Federal Appeals Court and we await the outcome of that appeal.

Nothwithstanding this, my officials have already been in contact with the US authorities and have conveyed our concerns about President Trump's Executive Order and its implications for US Preclearance Services at Shannon and Dublin Airports.

A meeting of the Preclearance Consultative Group had been arranged for 1 March 2017.  However in light of recent events, my officials have requested that this meeting be brought forward.  This is a mechanism outlined in the Preclearance Agreement which allows for representatives from both parties to meet and review any operational issues arising related to the Agreement.  This meeting has now been set for Thursday 23 February.   

As you will also be aware that An Taoiseach has requested that a review of US Preclearance in Ireland be undertaken by the relevant Departments:- Justice and Equality, Foreign Affairs and Trade and my own Department.  I anticipate that a report will be made to An Taoiseach this week.