Latest news with #CommonTravelArea
RTÉ News
25-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Ireland's asylum system 'wide open for abuse', says former military chief
Former deputy director of military intelligence of the Irish Defence Forces Michael Murphy has said that Ireland's asylum system is "open" for exploitation. It comes after a Government report warned immigration officials in Ireland may not be able to perform robust identity checks and security screening on asylum seekers due to the country's lack of access to key EU security databases. A new implementation plan for the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum - which is due to come into force next year - states that Ireland "may not be able to carry out the most robust identity validation" due to the country's exclusion from the Schengen Area and the related IT border security systems. Speaking on RTÉ's This Week, Mr Murphy said: "The system is wide open for abuse. "You have people coming in, travelling in without passports. "We don't know who they are. If you're coming from a third country, say far away, how do you do the security check on who they are?" "They can come in on a false passport. They can come in and stay in the country, not ever be discovered. "So therefore yes, our system or lack of border control is a security threat to the State." Mr Murphy said that abuse of the system was harming the cases of those who are actually seeking asylum in Ireland, and that the security checks should be more balanced. "I think the first thing is actually balancing a little bit more to the security side and of course, look after the genuine people who are fleeing war. "There's a lot of people who are not fleeing war and using the system to get into the country," he said. "That abuse is actually hurting those who are genuinely looking for asylum," he added. Mr Murphy said that Ireland was vulnerable by not having control over the Common Travel Area with the UK. "The fact that we don't have control of between what's happening between ourselves in the United Kingdom, it's a weakness. "But I think it can be covered by other systems," he said. "We actually signed into the advanced personal information and we also have signed into the personal name record for travelling into this country to prevent terrorism. "We're not applying those, so therefore if they were applied, it would certainly cover a lot of the difficulties that we see here by not signing into these three agreements," he added. Mr Murphy said that an agreement with the UK similar to the ESTA system in the US would be favourable. "We need an agreement with the United Kingdom, because that's where a lot of the people coming into the country are coming from. "As the government is saying, they can actually replicate in somewhat way the three systems that we are not signed up to in the European Union, like the ESTA," he said. 'Government hasn't a clue' - Tóibín Meanwhile, Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has said that Irish immigration officials not being able to access EU databases on criminal records of asylum seekers was down to a lack of Government information. Also speaking on RTÉ's This Week, he said: The Government hasn't a clue what's going on in so many aspects to this. It took me two years of asking the Minister for Justice, where were people coming from before she actually found out," he said. "The answer is to share that information. We don't necessarily have to opt in to Schengen. The information exists and that information should be provided to all EU countries," he added. He said that his party wants to see stricter regulations on people entering the country through Northern Ireland. Mr Tóibín said he was not advocating for Northern Ireland to close its borders, but rather impose stricter checks on those coming in. The Department of Justice told the programme that while Ireland will not have access to the entry/exit system, ETIAS and the Visa Information System - the Government has opted into the EuroDac system, which is a fingerprint database for asylum seekers that will be upgraded by June of next year. It will store official documents and photographs of asylum seekers as well as their first place of application to help decrease secondary movement. The Department said that while Ireland cannot opt in to the Schengen IT systems - the State intends to legislate nationally to align with its provisions. It said the State will carry out screening on anybody who enters Ireland irregularly - this will consist of identity checks, health checks, security and criminal screening and gathering fingerprint data for the EuroDac database.
Sunday World
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Sunday World
Garda-NCA crackdown on ‘Northern Ireland people-smuggler' crime gang leads to 33 arrests
Twenty-five of the arrests were made in Northern Ireland, four across Manchester and Birmingham and four in the Republic of Ireland Four people have been arrested in the Republic as part of a joint Garda-National Crime Agency crackdown on a "Northern Ireland people-smuggler' crime gang. A total of 33 'illegal entrants and suspected people smugglers' were arrested as part of the Home Office operation tackling abuse of the Common Travel Area. In the sixth such operation of its kind, Home Office Immigration Enforcement teams swooped on ports and airports in Northern Ireland, north-west England and Wales during a three-day operation. Twenty-five of the arrests were made in Northern Ireland, four across Manchester and Birmingham and four in the Republic of Ireland. The operation is part of a renewed crackdown on immigration crime as the UK government restores order to borders through their 'Plan for Change'. Stock image News in 90 Seconds - May 24th 2025 It involved the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), An Garda Síochána, the National Crime Agency (NCA), other UK police forces, Border Force and international partners who worked to 'gather intelligence, trace offenders and take action against UK border breaches'. Some £17,000 in suspected criminal assets and a heavy goods vehicle worth £144,000 have also been seized while officers issued civil penalties to the value of more than £10,000. Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle said the government was using every tool at its disposal 'to take down the criminal gangs who exploit vulnerable people in order to make quick cash' 'We are breaking down the criminal networks at their root with enforcement visits and arrests up by 38 per cent,' the minister said. 'The government's Plan for Change will ensure that criminal networks who abuse our borders face the full force of the law, which is exactly why we have introduced the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill giving law enforcement new counter-terror style powers to smash the people-smuggling gangs.' Home Office Immigration Enforcement Deputy Director Ben Thomas said law enforcement agencies are dedicated 'to breaking down the business model of criminal gangs who put lives at risk every day, the strength of our partnership and success of this operation serves as evidence'. 'Criminal networks seek to bypass robust border checks through fraudulent means and trap vulnerable people into further illegal activities,' Mr Thomas said. 'The success of this operation marks a significant step up in enforcement activity leading to the arrest of 33 criminals who attempted to abuse the Common Travel Area and undermine the UK's border security.' According to the Home Office, the operation builds on the success of previous enforcement activity in Northern Ireland conducted by the Criminal and Financial Investigations team, part of Home Office Immigration Enforcement. 'Since July 2024 over 60 arrests have been made and over £405,000 of criminal cash seized in the crackdown on abuse of the CTA, protecting migrants at risk of exploitation and disrupting criminality that threatens the public's safety,' the Home Office stated. 'This latest success comes alongside the announcement that nearly 30,000 people with no right to be here have been returned under this government, including a 23% increase in enforced returns and a 14% increase in foreign criminals deported since the election.' It also follows a series of measures introduced by the UK government to tackle organised immigration crime under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill. This is to enable 'smarter, faster and more effective interventions to protect UK border security' and make it easier to detect, disrupt and deter those seeking to engage in and benefit from organised immigration crime.
Irish Daily Mirror
01-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish passport holders told to carry additional document in new UK travel rules
As of last month (April 2), new travel regulations in the UK now require EU citizens to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) when visiting the region. This rule applies to visitors who don't require a visa for short stays of up to six months or those without existing UK immigration status. Even travellers transiting through the UK and crossing the border will need an ETA, depending on their nationality. However, there are exceptions to these rules, reports RSVP Live. British and Irish citizens, as well as individuals with status under the EU Settlement Scheme, are exempt from needing an ETA. While legal residents of Ireland aren't required to have digital permission, they are advised to carry proof of residence in Ireland. Acceptable documents include: The document must be original, issued by the Irish government, and valid at the time of travel. Those under 16 years old are not required to provide proof of residence in Ireland. The rules differ slightly for Northern Ireland due to the absence of immigration checks at the border with the Republic of Ireland. The UK doesn't enforce regular immigration checks on trips within the Common Travel Area, and there are no immigration controls at all on the land border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. However, everyone entering the UK, including those coming into Northern Ireland, must comply with the UK's Immigration Rules, which may include obtaining an ETA if they're eligible. Non-Irish residents of Ireland from countries that don't need a visa to visit the UK (like European and US nationals), don't need an ETA when travelling to the UK – including Northern Ireland – from within the Common Travel Area, which includes Ireland, as long as they can provide acceptable proof of their residence status. Detailed guidance on how the new rules affect Irish passport holders can be found on the UK Government website here.
Dublin Live
01-05-2025
- Dublin Live
New UK travel rules for Irish passport holders as key document needed
New travel regulations have been rolled out across the UK this month, affecting tourists. Those journeying to countries within the UK will now need to secure an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). This rule applies to visitors who don't require a visa for short stays of up to six months or those without existing UK immigration status. Even those transiting through the UK and crossing the border will need an ETA, depending on their nationality. From 2 April 2025, European nationals are required to obtain an ETA before heading to the UK, reports RSVP Live. However, there are exceptions. British and Irish citizens are exempt from these rules, as are people with status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also do not need an ETA. While legal residents of Ireland don't need digital permission, they're advised to bring proof of residence in Ireland. Acceptable documents include: Irish driving licence Irish learner permit Medical card GP visit card European Health Insurance Card Irish Residence Permit Permanent Residence Certificate National Age Card Diplomatic identity card These documents must be original, issued by the Irish government, and valid at the time of travel. For those under 16, there's no need to bring proof of residence in Ireland. The rules differ slightly for Northern Ireland due to the absence of immigration checks at the border with the Republic of Ireland. The UK doesn't enforce regular immigration checks on journeys within the Common Travel Area, including the Ireland-Northern Ireland land border. However, everyone entering the UK, including Northern Ireland, must comply with the UK's Immigration Rules, which may include obtaining an ETA if eligible. British and Irish citizens are exempt from needing an ETA. Non-Irish residents of Ireland from countries that don't require a visa to visit the UK (such as European and US nationals), won't need an ETA when travelling to the UK– including Northern Ireland – from within the Common Travel Area, provided they can prove their residence status. Full guidance is available on If they're travelling to the UK from outside the Common Travel Area, they'll need an ETA before they travel, once required for their nationality. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Extra.ie
29-04-2025
- Extra.ie
Who needs a visa to travel into (or through) the UK this summer?
There's been a lot of changes when it comes to travel in and through the UK recently, with many tourists now needing a visa to enter the country. Since the UK left the EU, more and more changes are coming are being instigated, often causing havoc at passport control. So if you're travelling into anywhere in the UK this summer, or even passing through on a layover, here's all you need to know about the new electronic travel authorisation (ETA). Pic: Getty Images If you are a national of (or are travelling on a passport from) one of the 68 countries and territories listed on the UK Gov website, then you will need an ETA if travelling to or through the UK. However, airside transit passengers are those who do not need to change airports and do not need to pass through the UK border, but you will need to check with your airline (and connection terminal) to ensure you won't pass through border control. It is also noted that passengers cannot transit 'airside' to the Republic of Ireland or anywhere within the common travel area. There is also a list of 45 countries and territories who need a visa to enter or transit the UK landside. Landside transit passengers refers to those who need (or wish) to pass through the UK border and enter the UK (for example, to change airport, to collect baggage or have arrived at airports where no airside transfer is possible). If you hold an Irish passport, you do not need an ETA Pic: Getty Images Luckily, Irish citizens are one of the few groups who do not need an ETA to enter or pass through the UK, thanks to the Common Travel Area (CTA) between the two nations. Before April 2, 2025, other citizens from the EU, EEA and Switzerland were also in this group, but since then, they also now need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to travel to the UK. You will need to show proof of Irish nationality when travelling through the UK border control, but you do not need a visa. Other exemptions include if: you have permission to live, work or study in the UK (including settled or pre-settled status or right of abode) you are transiting through a UK airport and you will not pass through border control (check with your airline if you are not sure) you are travelling with a British overseas territories citizen passport you are travelling with a British National (Overseas) passport you live in Ireland and you are travelling from Ireland, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man you are a child travelling on the France-UK school trip travel information form you are exempt from immigration control or obtaining permission to enter Pic: Getty Images Similar to how those travelling to the USA get their ESTA, those looking to apply for an ETA can do so online. It costs £16 (~€19) to apply for one, and you will need the passport you will travel with (not a photocopy or digital passport), access to your emails and a payment method (you can use Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Apple Pay or Google Pay) You will need to upload or take photos of the passport and also one of the face of the person applying for the visa. The applications usually take three working days, but it could take shorter or longer depending on the applicant. However, if you need to travel soon, you still must apply for the ETA before you travel to the UK, but you can travel there while waiting for the decision. Those travelling in groups must apply separately, and once successful, you will get an email confirming you have the ETA and it will be linked ot the passport you applied with, lasting two years or until the passport expires (whichever somes first). Pic: Getty Images This is where things get tricky as the answer is yes and no. Essentially, those who would require a visa to enter the country, aka those not travelling on a British or Irish passport or who qualify for any of the above exemptions, may get lucky and not need one. The main reason for this is if your connecting flight is located within the same terminal, you may not be crossing UK border control, and hence, do not need the visa. However, while you may not be technically entering the UK landside, if you are changing terminal (or sometimes even in the same terminal), there is a border control and you will need the visa. The safest way to ensure if you need one or not is to check your outgoing and return details, and ask your airline if you will encounter border control en route. There is also a handy feature on the website that can help you check your status and if you need an ETA.
