Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 February 2023
179. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the requirement placed by certain airlines on Irish citizens to hold a valid Irish passport for travel infringes on the rights of Irish citizens in the Common Travel Area (details supplied). [6017/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the longstanding Common Travel Area arrangements, Irish and British citizens are entitled to move freely between Ireland and the UK.
Under Irish legislation - specifically Section 11 of the Immigration Act 2004 - any person entering the State must be in possession of a valid passport or other equivalent document, issued by or on behalf of an authority recognised by the Government, which establishes his or her identity and nationality to the satisfaction of an immigration officer. Information on the procedures that apply at immigration control in Ireland and in Great Britain for checks on nationality and identity are published on the irishimmigration.ie website and the UK Government website respectively.
Transport carriers operating on routes between Ireland and Great Britain set their conditions of carriage while taking account of the relevant national, EU and international laws and procedures, including Irish and British immigration rules. Carriers make their identity documentation requirements clear in the terms and conditions that they provide to customers before tickets are sold. When it comes to passports specifically, it should be noted that both an Irish passport and the Irish passport card are acceptable as identity documentation for travel to Great Britain.
