Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre said on Monday that his Government only learned of Ireland’s new visa requirement for Saint Lucians last Friday, calling it part of a broader anti‑immigrant trend in Europe.
Starting Monday, Saint Lucian nationals and passport holders must get a visa to visit the Republic of Ireland. This ends years of visa-free travel.
Saint Lucia was one of three countries slapped with the new visa rule, alongside Saint Kitts and Nevis and Nicaragua. According to a notice issued by the Embassy of Ireland in Ottawa, Canada, the requirement applies to holders of Ordinary, Diplomatic and Service passports.
The change came as a surprise to many people, including the Government of Saint Lucia.
At Monday’s pre-Cabinet press briefing, Pierre said Ireland has the right to set its own immigration policies.
“I have no control over Irish internal policy,” Pierre said. “The Irish government decides what’s in the best interest of Ireland. I have no control over that.”
The Prime Minister also revealed that his Government only received official notification from the Embassy of Ireland in Canada on Friday, June 12, adding that there had been no prior discussions or consultations between the two countries before the visa requirement was imposed.
This change comes only a few months after the United Kingdom ended visa-free access for Saint Lucian nationals.
In announcing that decision, British authorities outlined the factors that informed the change, citing a rise in asylum claims from Saint Lucians as well as “inherent” concerns with the country’s Citizenship by Investment Programme.
Ireland’s notice, however, said the new rule is “part of an ongoing process to keep Ireland aligned with practices in the United Kingdom, Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Schengen Area”. It did not mention any specific concerns about Saint Lucia.
Pierre suggested that the latest development reflects a broader shift across parts of Europe and other developed countries.
“The situation is that these countries have decided that they are going to be anti-immigrant. That’s why it’s so important that our region… get together, because the whole world seems to be getting very insular,” he said.
Saint Lucia’s addition to Ireland’s visa list comes amid growing concern about immigration across Europe. In Ireland, the issue has become more prominent, fuelling political debate and, at times, public protests over the country’s approach to migration.
No worries Boss.
We just not going to ireeland.
We more important dan dem. Ask dem if they have any noble learattes 2 or more.
Chups÷_%#÷<^'dgxgidss
Yard Man, what you have to say about dis?
Okay Mr Pierre, the new wave of anti-immigrant measures sweeping across Europe, according to you, is responsible for the imposed visa restrictions, and not the CIP programme in Saint Lucia, because you believe Saint Lucians are stupid, they cannot see that the visa restrictions apply only to the CIP countries! Well done Mr Prime Minister!
I am not surprised by this as Ireland always following the immigration control of the UK. They did the same things to Dominica, Trinidad before. One reason I heard is because they have no border control between Ireland and Northern Ireland, and so it is crucial for them to follow the UK’s immigration policy to keep border “safe”.
But what I surprised about is Saint Kitts and Nevis. They still enjoy the ETA of the UK but dropped by Ireland this time with Saint Lucia and Nicaragua. I hope this is not the signal from the EU pressure.
The government should stop CIP. When European Union put visa on Saint Lucia, which investors will pay for the passport again? Their main purpose of investing to get Saint Lucia passport is for easy travel.
Some Lucians are saying who goes to Ireland anyway? After all English speaking developed world put visa restrictions on Saint Lucia, Ireland knows, very soon Lucians will be trooping to their country being the only English speaking country in European Union. They are smart.
This citizenship by investment is is really making travel harder for st.lucians .. the PM should revisit this CIP stuff
The selling of passports is the culprit. Trust me.
Peep which country will be next Peep. We are in deep doodoo
It’s not correct to say zero comments, say instead you are not publishing the comments since they have totally refuted the information given by the Prime Minister. The comments were not in any way disrespectful, facts only were used, but because it put the Prime Minister in not so good a light, they’re not being punished. It’s alright bro., I understand!
My Apologies to the Government and People of Ireland.
Must respect on your numerous Noble Prize Winners, an example to follow.
I see the CIP most likely is the cause for these visas. The other countries worried if some buy a St Lucian passport(citizenship) and use that passport to come to their country to do something negative.
So our Honorable King PJP, please take note and make sure everyone applying for CIP is properly interviewed and scanned.
One love
mahlo