Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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307. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to revise the visa requirements for Colombian visitors particularly in view of increased diplomatic relations with Colombia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48251/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The list of countries whose citizens are visa-required to come to Ireland is kept under regular review in consultation with my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade.  There are no plans at present to revise the visa requirement for Colombian nationals.

As the Deputy may know, my Department is pursuing a Government approved strategy of greater 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 co-operation, the matter of alignment of those States whose citizens are visa-required is also being 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 all citizens of Colombia to be in possession of a visa for travel to their jurisdiction and thus it remains the position that any proposals for change will need to be considered in this context. 

Officials met recently with the Colombian Ambassador and explained the current position.  It was agreed nonetheless to consider the matters raised and to provide any assistance possible in the context of the development of the bilateral relationship.