Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

646. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the conditions for a person (details supplied) who is fully vaccinated and is travelling to Scotland on 19 July 2021 to visit family. [30524/21]

John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

657. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the criteria for travelling to and from the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30924/21]

Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

672. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position of an Irish resident who must travel to the UK for an essential purpose and who is fully vaccinated; if such a person must have a PCR test prior to travel and return; if such a person will be required to quarantine in a hotel or at home; if so, the period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31715/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 646, 657 and 672 together.

At present, Government advice is to avoid non-essential international travel. For those who must travel the restrictions and guidance that apply are outlined on the COVID-19 Travel Advice pages on Gov.ie. These are subject to ongoing amendment subject to public health advice.

Currently, those arriving into Ireland from abroad, including those travelling from Great Britain, must complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form, obtain a pre-travel negative RT-PCR test and quarantine on arrival in Ireland in line with the terms listed on Gov.ie. In general, these requirements do not apply to persons who travel from Northern Ireland. However, they do apply to persons who arrive here via Northern Ireland and have been overseas in the 14 days prior to their arrival. Those travelling to Ireland who have been in one of the listed high-risk Designated States in the 14 days before they arrive, must complete mandatory hotel quarantine. Great Britain is not at present on this list. Those travelling from Great Britain should however arrange a COVID-19 (RT-PCR) test at least 5 days after arrival.

The UK Government and the UK's devolved administrations have established regulations for international travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, individuals whose journey begins in Ireland and who have remained in Ireland, or elsewhere in the Common Travel Area, for 10 days prior to travel, do not require a pre-travel PCR test or evidence of having been vaccinated to travel to any part of the UK. They are also not subject to mandatory quarantine rules once they have entered the UK, but they do remain subject to the local restrictions and guidance in place. While this is current advice, I cannot of course anticipate what rules the UK Government and the UK’s devolved administrations will apply at a future date.

Under current Scottish Government regulations, travel between Ireland and Scotland should only take place for listed permitted reasons, for example for work or education. At this time, the Scottish authorities do not require Irish citizens to complete a passenger locator form. For a more detailed understanding of Scottish regulations and to check for changes, those who need to travel should monitor the Scottish Government web pages on “Coronavirus (COVID-19): travel and transport” or consult with the UK or Scottish authorities directly.

From 19 July, subject to the prevailing public health situation, Ireland will broadly align itself to the EU approach to non-essential travel into the EU from outside the EU/EEA, including with regard to our policy on travel from Britain to Ireland. It is expected that the general travel advisory against all non-essential international travel will end and that we will instead advise citizens to travel safely and in accordance with public health guidance and restrictions. An ‘emergency brake’ mechanism will be coordinated at EU level to react swiftly to the emergence of variants of concern or variants of interest. I wish to see travel between Ireland and Britain taking place in a seamless manner as soon as this is feasible and safe.

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

647. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the representations he has made to countries in which vaccines (details supplied) or other non-EMA approved vaccines have been administered to Irish citizens. [30529/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department continues to work closely with our international partners to support the health and welfare of Irish citizens overseas in the context of COVID-19. I have not made direct representations relating to non-EMA approved vaccines; however, our Embassies and Consulates liaise closely with local health authorities to ensure that relevant public health information is made available to Irish citizens, including in relation to local vaccination programmes. My Department is also in ongoing contact with the Department of Health regarding the provision of advice and support to our citizens abroad. Our advice to citizens is to follow the guidelines of the public health authorities in the region or country in which they are located.