The Schengen Agreement: What it Means for Ireland
The Schengen Agreement is a treaty signed in 1985 by five European countries with the goal of abolishing internal border controls and establishing a common external border. Today, the Schengen Area consists of 26 countries, including most EU member states.
However, Ireland and the United Kingdom are not part of the Schengen Area. Ireland has chosen to maintain its own border controls, which means that there are still passport checks and customs controls when entering or leaving the country.
This decision has been controversial, with some arguing that Ireland should join the Schengen Area to facilitate travel and trade. Others are concerned that joining Schengen would undermine Ireland`s sovereignty and ability to control its borders.
Despite not being a Schengen member, Ireland does participate in some aspects of the agreement. For example, Irish citizens enjoy visa-free travel to other Schengen countries, and Schengen visas are accepted for travel to Ireland.
Additionally, the Common Travel Area (CTA) between Ireland and the UK allows for easy movement between the two countries. Under the CTA, Irish and UK citizens have the right to live, work, and travel freely between the two countries, and there are no passport checks or customs controls at the border.
However, Brexit has raised questions about the future of the CTA. While both the UK and Irish governments have expressed their commitment to maintaining the CTA, there are concerns about how it will function once the UK leaves the EU.
In conclusion, Ireland`s decision not to join the Schengen Area has both benefits and drawbacks. While maintaining border controls allows for greater control over who enters the country, it can also create barriers to travel and trade. As the UK prepares to leave the EU, it remains to be seen how the CTA will be affected and what impact this will have on Ireland`s relationship with the Schengen Area.