Ireland will take part in discussions on proposals by the European Union to create a coronavirus vaccine passport which it is hoped could allow people travel again.
EU President Ursula von der Leyen said that the EU-wide ‘Digital Green Pass’ would be proposed this month and that it could be a first step towards a vaccine passport for travel by those who have had the vaccination – and the scheme could include Irish citizens in Northern Ireland (those with an Irish passport).
Ms. Von der Leyen said: “The Digital Green Pass should facilitate Europeans’ lives. The aim is to gradually enable them to move safely in the EU or abroad – for work or tourism.”
The European Union’s Chief Negotiator Michel Barnier previously said: “Whilst Northern Ireland will no longer be part of the EU, people born and raised here that choose to be Irish citizens will still be EU citizens.
“This means they can continue to move and reside freely within the EU. The UK has committed to upholding their rights.
“They cannot be discriminated against on the basis of nationality.”
This leads many to believe that the new ‘Digital Green Pass’ will apply to those Irish citizens in Northern Ireland.
