It's been suggested Jersey could strike a deal with the UK similar to the 'Windsor Framework' to stop the electronic travel authorisation scheme.

Economic Development Minister, Deputy Kirsten Morel, told the States Chamber that Jersey's interests must be 'defended'.

"I believe that Jersey needs to be bold and that UK decisions do not drag us further away from Europe. I think we have reached the limit of the distance we can be dragged from Europe.

I am working incredibly hard to bring us closer to the continent, in terms of Jersey's commercial and trading relationships."

The comments follow Channel 103's report on the ETA scheme, which will require all non-British and Irish citizens to apply for permission to travel to the UK and its dependencies from the end of 2024.

The ETA will be directly linked to a traveller's passport, meaning they must use the document to enter.

This has cast doubt over the current trial that allows French day trippers to enter the Channel Islands on just their National ID card.

Deputy Morel was asked by the Constable of St Saviour, Kevin Lewis, about how he would negotiate a separate agreement without damaging the integrity of the Common Travel Area.

"I think that is something that can be easily overcome. We have already seen the Windsor Agreement in Northern Ireland enables just such a thing.

That framework in Northern Ireland looks incredibly like the situation Jersey used to have in terms of being in the EU for goods."

The Windsor Framework is an agreement between the UK and the EU which hopes to prevent a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic by allowing the north to have access both to the EU's single market and the UK domestic market.

Deputy Morel seemed hopeful a deal could be struck with Westminster.

"I believe that all matters like this are entirely achievable, particularly with the use of technology which means people can be more easily tracked at ports of entry and exit.

And with a small island that only has one port and one airport I think it can be achieved."