It’s time for an EU-wide free travel scheme – Doherty

EU Member States should agree and implement an EU-wide version of the Irish free travel scheme to  improve mobility and reduced cost of living pressures for older people in the EU, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator Regina Doherty, Fine Gael European Election candidate for Dublin said: “The free travel scheme has been a huge success in Ireland, and crucially it is open to anyone over 66 who has a permanent address here, not just Irish citizens. However, when those with free travel in Ireland visit other parts of the EU, they often find that they no longer have access to free travel. Given that freedom of movement is such an essential element of EU membership, it makes sense that there should be an equivalent free travel scheme at an EU level.

“I would like to see MEPs in the European Parliament working with representatives of each member state to implement an EU free travel scheme on the same criteria as the Irish one. It is the least we owe to our older citizens who contributed to the building of the EU and its economy over many years. Member states should offer reciprocal free travel arrangements to each other’s citizens.

“When I was Minister for Social Protection, I saw the benefits of free travel in Ireland. It empowers our older population, it leads to better mobility, it is better for the environment as more people use public transport, it is more fuel efficient, it supports tourism, and it helps to reduce the cost of living. It is time for these benefits to be replicated across the EU. This will benefit older Irish people when travelling in Europe as well as all older Europeans.”