An all-island approach to international travel is not acceptable practically or politically, according to the DUP.

The Cabinet Sub-Committee on COVID-19 is this afternoon discussing new restrictions on international travel – including plans for mandatory quarantine for passengers arriving into Ireland.

Over the weekend, the Taoiseach ruled out any attempt to seal the border with the North and experts have warned that travel quarantine would be ineffective unless it was introduced at all points of entry to the island.

Micheál Martin said he had discussed the idea of a ‘two-island strategy’ with his UK counterpart Boris Johnson; however, he warned that the talks remain “very embryonic.”

On The Pat Kenny Show this morning, DUP MP Sammy Wilson said travel restrictions between Northern Ireland and Britain would be politically unacceptable.

“I certainly would not accept that we would have travel restrictions between Northern Ireland and GB,” he said. “There shouldn’t be restrictions within our own country.

“I think it is impractical as well – because there is a lot of vital movement which goes across the stretch of water between Northern Ireland and GB.

“Most of our activities are orientated toward GB, whether it is our trading activities, our business activities and a lot of other movements, family movements etc.

“It would not be practical and it would not be proportionate to close down the border between Northern Ireland and GB in terms of how vital the activity and the movements between the two are.”

Border

He said any concerns about the virus travelling across the border were a matter for authorities in the Republic.

“On the Irish side of the border, you have got to decide what you want to do to restrict those movements,” he said.

“As far as we are concerned, we have taken an approach which is a United Kingdom approach.

“We have always taken that view and we believe that is the most practical, the most political and the most proportionate response that there should be.”

Obvious

On the same show, Sinn FD David Cullinane said a joined-up all-island approach is the obvious solution in the coming months.

“We have to look at what the problem is and the source of the problem,” he said. “What we are talking about here is the potential for the virus to come from outside the island into the island.

“If the problem at source is airports and ports, that has to be dealt with.

“An all-island solution is not about orange or green. Most reasonable people right across the island understand that an all-island response in relation to a virus that is highly transmissible and highly contagious is necessary.’

Mr Wilson said an all-island approach would “send out a message that Northern Ireland was not dealing with this issue on the same basis as the rest of the UK.”

“Ultimately, we are a different country we will set our own agenda and we will make our own decisions on these things,” he said.

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