Lord Wigley – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the Home Office

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Wigley on 2016-10-19.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what policy options they have considered regarding controls on EU citizens entering the UK through Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland following the UK’s departure from the EU.

Baroness Williams of Trafford

At present, the UK remains in the EU and there have been no immediate changes to the rights and obligations that membership entails. This means that EEA, Swiss and UK nationals continue to have the same rights and status that they had before the referendum.

The Prime Minister has been clear that a practical solution in the interests of all parts of the UK should be found to manage the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland once the UK has left the EU. Senior Officials from the UK, Ireland and Northern Ireland are working closely to consider the implications of the UK’s exit from the EU on the Common Travel Area (CTA). The CTA arrangement predates the EU and leaders in the UK and Ireland have been unequivocal –both want to maintain the current arrangement.