British government in UK visa row amid Irish border checks

The UK government has been forced to defend plans to introduce Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) checks at the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

During a row over the proposed UK visas in the House of Lords recently, the border checks were described as a ‘quick and light touch’ and ‘nonsensical and rubbish’. The Lords were debating plans to introduce the Nationality and Borders Bill for an ETA pass for non-Irish or British travellers to make journeys between the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

Baroness Richie of Downpatrick reportedly proposed an amendment to the Nationality and Borders bill to introduce ETAs so that people who are neither British nor Irish citizens but live in Ireland, can travel across the border without checks.

Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland citizens not affected

Under the UK visa proposals, citizens of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland would not be affected. However, critics of the proposal claim that the visas could affect European Union nationals who live in Ireland.

Baroness Richie said: “It is clear that this will have a detrimental impact on non-visa nationals who need to enter Northern Ireland for activities such as visiting family, accessing childcare, permitted work engagement and accessing services and goods.”

Meanwhile, Lords government whip Lord Sharp of Epsom, said: “The government is clear, there will continue to be no routine immigration controls on journeys to the UK from within the common travel area, none whatsoever on the land border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. That will remain in position when the ETA scheme is introduced.”

“The process for obtaining an ETA will be a quick and light touch. I understand that it will not be too dissimilar to acquiring a US ESTA. Once granted, an ETA will be valid for multiple journeys over an extended period, minimising the burden on those making frequent trips, including those across the Northern Ireland border,” Lord Epsom added.

Nonsensical and unworkable

However, crossbench peer Viscount Brookeborough described the plans as ‘nonsensical’ and ‘unworkable’.

“Northern Ireland is the size of Yorkshire. What you are really stating is that somebody who goes on holiday to Yorkshire must not go to a neighbouring county for any reason without complying with this regulation,” Viscount Brookeborough said.

He added: “I am terribly sorry, but this is complete and utter rubbish. It is nonsensical and it is not going to work.”

The Viscount, whose brother chairs the Irish tourism board, went on to say: “What do you do if you are touring in Yorkshire? You tour outside it. If you go into Ireland and you are a tourist why shouldn’t you simply tour Ireland?”

“No amount of communication, I am very sorry, there is nobody to police it, and what the government is talking about is simply unworkable and disastrous,” the Viscount added.

Workpermit.com can help with Sponsor Licences

If you need help with employing Skilled Workers and help to apply for a Sponsor Licence, including complying with your Sponsor Licence obligations, workpermit.com can help.

For more information and advice on Sponsor licences, please contact us on 0344 991 9222 or at london@workpermit.com(link sends e-mail)