Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Ireland and the UK share a common interest in the effective operation of the CTA, and work closely together to prevent any abuses of the CTA.

There has been an arrangement on returns in place between Ireland and the United Kingdom since Brexit. It was agreed in November 2020. It provides for reciprocal returns and helps to protect against abuse of the Common Travel Area, building on long standing CTA cooperation.

Returns have not been effected by Ireland to date under this agreement, owing in the first instance to the suspension of returns during Covid (except on security or public policy grounds) and, subsequently, to legal challenges to the underpinning legislation. These proceedings have led to the recent court ruling referred to by the Deputy. I recently obtained Government approval for legislation to be drafted to address this and to ensure that the UK can again be designated as a safe country for returns so that the arrangement can be re-operationalised.