CELTIC LEAGUE: CTA HAS 'LONG ESTABLISHED POLITCAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL BENEFITS'

The Celtic League has expressed scepticism about attempts to tighten border controls within the Common Travel Area (CTA).

The United Kingdom Border Agency is currently carrying out a consultation exercise into what it terms the strengthening of the Common Travel Area border controls.

The Common Travel Area consists of the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man and the Republic of Ireland. The UK Border Agencies own web site says that "movement without clearance for all nationals of the CTA is an important component of the special relations which exist between the peoples of these islands, and provides long established political, economic and social benefits".

Free movement within the CTA has existed for decades although it was seriously compromised by anti-terrorism legislation in the 1970-80s when travellers from Ireland were subject to card checks and Irish nationals often suffered serious victimisation and harassment, particularly by special branch officers based at Stranraer and Liverpool.

It is a nonsense to suggest that any serious immigration control between Britain and Ireland can be implemented whilst partition continues as the 'border' between the 26 and 6 counties cannot be sealed.

CTA restrictions also fly in the face of attempts to build cross-National cooperation in these Islands via bodies such as the British-Irish Council.

J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

09/09/08