Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask the Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, what steps he plans to take to ensure the Common Travel Area is maintained after the UK leaves the EU.

The Common Travel Area predates the UK’s and the Republic of Ireland’s membership of the European Union. The UK and Irish Governments are committed to maintaining it and to preserving the rights of Irish and British nationals when in the other State. The Government is working closely with Ireland to consider the implications of the UK’s exit from the EU and to maintain the open borders that UK and Irish citizens enjoy. The focus going forward is on securing a deal that is in the interests of both of the UK and Ireland.