Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the similarities in land border issues to be taken into consideration in relation to (1) Spain and Gibraltar, and (2) Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, in the forthcoming negotiations with the EU.

We have been engaging with the Devolved Administrations, including the Northern Ireland Executive, and Gibraltar to understand their priorities and interests, and will continue to involve them as we enter negotiations.

We have established a Joint Ministerial Committee (European Union Negotiations) for the Devolved Administrations, and are engaging with Gibraltar through the new Joint Ministerial Committee (Gibraltar European Union Negotiations). The latter will allow us to take account of the particular interests that Gibraltar has, given that the EU Treaties apply to a large extent in Gibraltar, with some exceptions (for example, Gibraltar is not part of the Customs Union).

Regarding the Common Travel Area between the United Kingdom and Ireland, there is a strong commitment between the United Kingdom government, the Irish government and the Northern Ireland Executive to protect the current arrangement. We will work with the new Northern Ireland Executive, the Irish Government and the Crown Dependencies to deliver a practical solution that allows for the maintenance of the Common Travel Area, while protecting the integrity of the United Kingdom’s immigration system.

We understand the importance of a well functioning Gibraltar-Spain border, and stand ready to work with the Government of Gibraltar and the Government of Spain to ensure the border continues to function well.