Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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129. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he plans to dispense with the need for holders of diplomatic passports from the Republic of Georgia to apply for a visa for the purpose of visiting Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49467/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that requirements for which countries are visa required to come to Ireland are kept under regular review in consultation with my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. As indicated previously, there are no plans to implement the change referred to by the Deputy. 

My Department pursues a strategy of co-ordination and co-operation on visa issues with the United Kingdom in the context of the Common Travel Area (CTA).  This is exemplified by the operation of the British Irish Visa Scheme in China and India which allows for travel to and around Ireland and the UK on a single visa.

As part of this continued co-operation, the matter of alignment of those States whose citizens are visa required is also kept under review.  The greater the extent of alignment between the two jurisdictions, the greater the opportunity to increase the numbers of tourism and business visits to the CTA.  At present, both Ireland and the UK require citizens of Georgia to be in possession of a visa for the purpose of visiting their jurisdiction and any proposals for change will also need to take this into consideration.