Common Travel Area

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 January 2014

Wednesday, 15 January 2014

Ceisteanna (577)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

577. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the legislation governing the travel documents required for travel within the common travel area; the legislation that would need to be amended to ensure all transport operators, whether on land, air, road, rail or sea, operate on the same basis for travel documentation, ensuring none requires a passport; if it is possible within Irish legislation to ensure these standards are operated by companies based and operating in this jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1204/14]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality

Section 11 of the Immigration Act 2004, as amended by section 34 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011, requires every person landing in the State to be in possession of a valid passport or equivalent travel document which establishes their identity and nationality and to furnish their travel document to an Immigration Officer when requested to do so. However, subsection 4 of section 11, as amended, provides for an exemption from this requirement for EEA nationals travelling to or from destinations within the State, Great Britain or Northern Ireland. The exemption on travel documents provided for EEA nationals travelling within the Common Travel Area is only applicable to the requirements of Immigration Officers exercising their duties at the frontiers of the State. It is not a prohibition on any carrier involved in transporting people within the Common Travel Area from seeking appropriate confirmation of the identity of the passengers in question. The conditions regarding identity documents stipulated by carriers, and their reasons for those conditions, are a matter for the carriers concerned.