Written answers
Thursday, 9 May 2024
Department of Justice and Equality
Ukraine War
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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230. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if she and her Department will engage with the UK authorities to examine if an exemption could be allowed for Ukrainian refugee children based in Donegal and other Border counties to travel across the Border into Northern Ireland to avail of amenities such as swimming, cinemas and school tours. [21070/24]
Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Common Travel Area arrangement between Ireland and the UK is primarily for the benefit of Irish and UK nationals. CTA cooperation has brought benefits for certain groups of visa required nationals in respect of the Short Stay Visa Waiver programme and the British Irish Visa Scheme.
While there is excellent cooperation on CTA matters, the immigration rules that apply in the UK and Ireland are a matter for each jurisdiction. Therefore travel requirements of the type referred to by the Deputy are a matter for the relevant UK authorities.
However, I can advise the Deputy that there has been ongoing engagement at officials level with the UK in the context of regular engagements on CTA matters
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