Ireland Would Need to Discuss With UK Before Imposing Restrictions on Russian Tourists, Foreign Minister Says
The Minister said the Common Travel Area, which is an open borders area that includes the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands, meant that Dublin would have to hold discussions with London before applying stricter rules for Russians applying for visas, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.
According to the Independent, such comments were made by the Minister ahead of the meetings that the EU foreign affairs ministers had in Prague to discuss the war in Ukraine.
Coveney said that Ireland is an unusual space since the country is not part of the Schengen area. In addition, the Minister pointed out that Ireland already has a strict regime in terms of the facilitation of visas coming from Russia as the country does not have the system of the Schengen-associated countries.
Thus, the Minister said that on issues like this, Ireland would need to speak to the UK as well.
“We don’t have a visa facilitation system like they have across Schengen, so we’re in a slightly different category already. And of course, we have a Common Travel Area with the UK so on issues like this we’d need to speak to the UK as well, but certainly we can be part of this discussion,” the statement of the Minister reads.
The Member of the European Parliament, Billy Kelleher, who represents Ireland South, has been urging the Irish government to impose restrictions on Russian tourists.
Just recently, he said that only those in danger, the ones wanting to reunite with their families and those who need to enter Ireland for medical purposes, should be issued a visa.
“Govt should support a ban on issuing visas to Russians to enter the EU. Exemptions should be provided for those being persecuted by Putin, for family reunion and medical purposes. No visas should be issued to facilitate Russian holidaymakers while Ukraine is being oppressed,” Kelleher wrote on his official Twitter account.
While Ireland is yet to discuss with the UK and make a move to restrict Russians, several EU countries have already done so.
