EU moves closer to creation of border guard

Amid threats to expel Greece from the Schengen area, EU ministers moved a step closer to creating a border guard that could take control of national borders if a country was not up to the task.

Justice Minister, Frances Fitzgerald, confirmed that under no circumstance would Ireland be part of an EU border and coast guard, remaining outside the Schengen area and maintaining a travel-free zone with the UK.

The emphasis of the ministers with responsibility for migration was firmly on stopping the flow of migrants, most looking for asylum and mainly coming into Greece through Turkey.