Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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551. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his engagement with the British Government on the very negative impact of the UK Nationality and Borders Bill for tourism on the island of Ireland, and the serious concerns of the tourism industry in Ireland particularly, the North of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13694/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The UK Nationality and Borders Act 2022 creates a requirement for visitors to the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) prior to travel. This requirement does not apply to Irish citizens. The scheme will enter into force on a phased basis from October this year.

Since 2021, the Government has raised its serious concerns about the ETA proposals with the UK Government. In interactions with British Ministers, including at a number of meetings of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference, the risks the scheme presents to the fluid nature of movement on the island and to the effectiveness of North-South cooperation under Strand Two of the Good Friday Agreement were highlighted.

On 9 March last, the UK government introduced secondary legislation required to put in place the ETA scheme.

Significantly, and on foot of the extensive discussions with the UK, the rules laid on 9 March establish an exemption from the ETA requirement for legal residents of Ireland who do not need a visa to visit the UK. The fact that this exemption is to apply CTA-wide – i.e. to cover travel from South to North and from West to East - is significant.

While this is welcome progress, I remain very concerned about the potential impact of the ETA scheme on the all-island tourism economy. Over 70% of international visitors to Northern Ireland arrive via this jurisdiction. Tourism stakeholders, including the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance, have clearly articulated their disappointment that a short-term exemption for overseas visitors from South to North has not been possible to achieve at this time, and I have communicated this to British interlocutors. I will continue to engage with UK Government and Northern Ireland stakeholders, including the Assembly parties – and, when restored, the Executive – on the matter.