Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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29. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the way in which the common travel area will survive in its current format after Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3096/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Maintaining the Common Travel Area (CTA) is one of the four headline priorities for Ireland following the UK departure from the EU.

The Common Travel Area has been in existence since Irish independence. It allows freedom of travel between the two jurisdictions for Irish and UK citizens, and provides for largely reciprocal benefits of citizenship, in terms of entitlements to reside, work and access services. These arrangements stem from the close historic relationship between the two countries and predate the entry of both to the EU. The Common Travel Area 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 the Irish and British Governments value the Common Travel Area and will work to keep this in place as part of future arrangements.

An extensive programme of engagement has been put in place to support this strategic objective. The importance of the Common Travel Area has been highlighted through political and diplomatic engagement with other Member States. There is ongoing engagement with EU institutions and there is regular contact with Michel Barnier's Commission negotiating team on the UK exit from the EU, including in relation to the specific question of the Common Travel Area. You will also have seen the very clear commitments from the Taoiseach and Prime Minister May to maintaining its benefits into the future.

As part of the Common Travel Area arrangements, it has long been the case that Ireland and the United Kingdom cooperate closely on jointly securing the external border of the Common Travel Area. We will continue to cooperate, and to strengthen that cooperation, in the future. But it is also important to emphasise that Ireland of course remains a committed member of the European Union. We will continue to uphold the right of free movement for all EU citizens after the UK leaves the Union.