British-Irish passport arrangements
Doherty explains that the open movement between Britain, Northern Ireland and Ireland requires cooperation between immigration services, and says he is satisfied with the existing arrangement. Quinn argues it should be reviewed because British entry bans can affect aid-recipient nationals entering Ireland; the Minister declines to change policy, and Quinn seeks to raise the replies on the Adjournment.
: I assume that what the Deputy is referring to is the long-standing arrangement whereby there is no immigration control on the movement of persons between Britain, Northern Ireland and the State.
As the Minister for Foreign Affairs indicated on 3 June 1980, in answer to a parliamentary question (Dáil Debates, Volume 321, col. 1379), this arrangement necessitates a measure of co-operation between the two immigration services which, incidentally, is formally recognised in the aliens orders. The arrangement is a general one and is not confined to the class of alien referred to by the Deputy.
The co-operation to which I have referred is informal and continuous and I do not propose to attempt to set out the practical details thereof. The arrangement is one which operates to the great advantage of the people of this country and I cannot see how it can affect our foreign policy
Comment on this
: Would the Minister not agree that since this country is spending in the region of £16 million in aid, a substantial amount of which is bilateral aid, there is an urgent necessity to review the traditional arrangement between the Home Office and the Department of Justice because of the prohibition by the British authorities on entry to the UK, and by extension the Republic of Ireland, of people from some of these countries?
Comment on this
: I am satisfied with the existing arrangement and do not intend to change policy in that regard.
Comment on this
: In view of the totally unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's replies to Questions Nos. 24 to 28, I propose to raise these matters on the Adjournment.