UK and Ireland ‘need linked travel zone’

AN IRISH government minister has called for Britain and the Republic of Ireland to become a common travel zone like parts of mainland Europe.

Transport minister Leo Varadkar said tourists and business visitors from far-flung destinations should not be forced to source one set of travel papers for the UK and a second set to cross the border to the Irish Republic.

He said: “There are real opportunities to attract more high-value, high-spending visitors … to both Britain and Ireland.”

Mr Varadkar said Ireland and Britain could become a “mini-Schengen” referring to the 20 countries in mainland Europe signed up to common travel and visa rules.

In Ireland, a visa waiver for UK visitors has been extended until the end of October 2016 which allows long-haul travellers to pass in to Ireland without additional travel documents.