The Chief Minister has announced plans for a new specialised border agency to strengthen the Isle of Man’s border security.
Alf Cannan revealed the initiative in Tynwald today in response to an urgent question from Onchan MHK Julie Edge about recent events in Belfast.
Mr Cannan said there was no intelligence to suggest a direct threat to the Island but confirmed the agency would be “delivered in two phases”.
He told members: “It is right and opportune today that I announce to honourable members that the Council of Ministers will support the Treasury through Customs and Immigration to develop a specialised border agency to improve border security, immigration control, compliance enforcement and strengthen our presence at points of entry.”
Phased
Phase one will establish a borders division within Treasury and develop the full operating model. Phase two will seek approval for that model and proceed to implementation.
Funding of £1.2m has been approved from the Economic Strategy Fund for phase one.
Mr Cannan added: “We must have public confidence in our controls, enforcement and capabilities to respond to abuse and emerging threats.”
He said the government continues to keep security and safety as a “top priority” while ensuring the island remains “open and secure”.
Threat
The Chief Minister added: “There is no intelligence to suggest any direct threat of or changes of threats to the Isle of Man has arisen from these events, and there has been no specific change to security arrangements at our ports of entry.”
Julie Edge welcomed the announcement but pressed for a timeline, stating: “The Manx public want to see something actually happening, providing funds is not the action that they are wishing to see at this present time.”