To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what (a) discussions there have been on and (b) consideration has been given to the merits of setting up an e-borders system around the Common Travel Area. (168411)

We continue to work closely with the Government of the Republic of Ireland on operational, policy and legislative issues that affect the common travel area (CTA), including on the implementation of the e-Borders programme which is a key part of the Government's plans for securing our borders.

As set out in our ‘Securing the UK Border’ strategy, March 2007, the CTA presents immigration risks and we are reviewing the rules and operation of the CTA to explore how border security can be strengthened. Monitoring all major air and sea movements across CTA borders via e-Borders by 2011 is one of the measures we are taking to strengthen operation of the CTA. The results of the review will be announced in due course.