Visa -Free Travel For Refugees Coming From 'Safe' European Countries Suspended

Tuesday, 19 July 2022 15:45

By Caoimhe Harney

File image: Rolling News, Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney

The visa-free travel arrangements for Ukrainian nationals will be unaffected.

Visa-free travel for some refugees coming to Ireland had to be suspended, to restrict economic migrants, that's according to the Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien.

He said the Government had to 'prioritise those fleeing for their lives,' he also said it had to 'manage their response' to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

From today, people with refugee status in 20 'safe' European countries will need a visa to come to Ireland.

In a statement, the Government said it had been agreed to “protect the integrity” of the immigration system.

It means that people who have been granted refugee status in other countries can still apply to travel to Ireland, but will need a visa to do so.

It will involve temporarily suspending the operation of a Council of Europe Agreement for 12 months.

The agreement in question abolished visa requirements for affected refugees when they travel from a country designated as safe under its terms, with governments instead issuing convention travel documents which allowed the refugees to travel to other signatory countries without a visa or prior clearance if the purpose of the journey was solely for a visit of up to three months.

The Government is citing Article 7 of the agreement for the suspension, which will come into effect from noon on Tuesday.

The visa-free travel arrangements for Ukrainian nationals will be unaffected.

More from National News

Sharp Rise In M9 Collisions With Garda Call-Outs Up Year-On-Year

The figures, provided by An Garda Síochána, show a sharp increase compared to previous years.
Councillor Seeks Clarity On How Often Nightclubs and Late Bars In Naas Are Inspected For Fire Risks

Kildare Fire Service says all venues applying to renew their annual dance licence through the District Court were inspected in advance of the hearings.
New Figures From CSO Reveal How Much International Protection Applicants Earn Compared To Average Worker In Ireland

The data also found that a majority of asylum seekers entered the workforce once permitted to do so
Unpaid Eight-Month Work And Training Placement For Adults With Disabilities Branded "Extremely Unfair"

One Kildare mother told Kfm News that their child had been attending structured placements each weekday, typically from around 9:30am to 3pm, and in some cases carrying out tasks for up to two hours at a time - but are not receiving any form of payment.
Department Of Education Defends Kildare SNA Cuts Amid Claims Of Reduced Need At Some Schools

They said there "are many reasons why the level of need for SNA support in schools may fluctuate including falling enrolments, reduced or increased care needs and changing demographics as children move from primary to post-primary schools".
Naas Nurses Threaten Escalation As Staffing Row Deepens

Nurses spoke to Kfm News this week about issues they are dealing with on a daily basis.
Driving Tests Face Disruption As RSA Testers To Strike Next Week

The driving test centre in Naas is the only driving test centre in Kildare and attracts candidates from Kildare, Dublin, Wicklow and Laois.
Jury Delivers Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity Verdict In Ballyfin Demesne Strangling Case

31-year-old Henry McGowan, from Brooklyn, New York, was found to be having a psychotic episode when he strangled his father to death at the 5-star hotel.