Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 March 2004
199 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the practice by the Scottish police at the Stranraer ferry port of demanding that Irish nationals write their names in English on their embarkation cards; if this practice is being applied to all passengers with non-English names; if the Irish are being singled out; and if he will seek an immediate end to the practice. [7104/04]
View answerMy Department has not received any recent complaints about a practice requiring that Irish nationals write their name in English on their embarkation cards at Stranraer ferry port. We have, in the past, consistently raised our concerns with the British authorities that the provisions of the British Terrorism Act 2000 be applied sensitively to ensure they do not cause embarrassment to travellers, nor discriminate against persons travelling between the two islands.
I would be concerned if Irish nationals travelling via Stranraer ferry port were being discriminated against on linguistic grounds. I have asked the Embassy of Ireland, London, to raise the Deputy's concerns with the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office. In addition, I have also asked our Consul General in Edinburgh to look into this matter. I will respond directly to the Deputy when in receipt of a reply from the British authorities.
