To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the e-Borders system will apply to the land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. (268001)

The e-Borders system will not apply to the land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

We will continue to work closely with the Republic of Ireland to tackle the major issues that face us today, from trafficking and terrorism to illegal immigration and drug smuggling.

The UK Border Agency, Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Garda National Immigration Bureau work collaboratively and run regular intelligence led operations to counter potential risks to the intra Common Travel Area (CTA) borders. These joint operations have successfully prevented foreign nationals attempting to cross the boundary illegally in both directions.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to launch a consultation on the introduction of an authority to carry scheme. (250066)

The Government have committed to a full consultation period on the introduction of an authority to carry scheme. This consultation period will be launched in due course following the completion of on-going development work and initial discussions with stakeholders.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects to launch her Department's consultation on authority to carry under the e-Borders scheme. (251686)

The Government have committed to a full consultation period on the introduction of an authority to carry scheme. This consultation period will be launched in due course following the completion of ongoing development work and initial discussions with stakeholders

The introduction of an authority to carry scheme will only be brought forward for parliamentary approval, once the full 12-week consultation period with all stakeholders has taken place.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent meetings her Department has had with coach operators on the effect of the e-Borders scheme; and if she will make a statement. (251687)

The e-Borders Programme has engaged directly with several of the large coach operators involved in international coach travel. We recognise that their inclusion in the solution and the development of operational models, will support a more efficient implementation of e-Borders.

The programme is in regular contact with the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT), the industry trade association, and articles on e-Borders have appeared in their journal, Route One. The programme has also delivered presentations on e-Borders to the 2007 and 2008 coaching conferences.

Furthermore, e-Borders was represented at the 2008 Eurobus Expo at the NEC.