Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 July 2025
681. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the reason there is not a dedicated channel in Irish airports for travellers arriving into Ireland from within the Ireland-UK free travel area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37873/25]
View answer682. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the basis for requiring travellers arriving into Ireland from within the Ireland-UK free travel area, to present a passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37874/25]
View answer683. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the documents, other than a passport, that are acceptable for establishing nationality or residence, for travellers arriving into Ireland from within the Ireland-UK free travel area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37875/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 681 to 683, inclusive, together.
It is a central priority for me that our immigration system is robust and enforced.
An Garda Síochána has responsibility for airports and other ports of entry in the State with the exception of Dublin Airport, where the Border Management Unit of my Department has responsibility for frontline immigration duties.
There is no requirement for Irish or UK citizens to produce passports when travelling within the Common Travel Area (CTA). However, airline carriers may require their passengers to have a passport in their possession before allowing them to board the aircraft. This is not an immigration requirement.
There is no segregation of arriving flights at Dublin Airport. Therefore, it is not possible to distinguish CTA passengers in advance of them presenting at Immigration Control desks. The Deputy will appreciate that infrastructure at Dublin Airport is a matter for the Dublin Airport Authority.
Immigration Officers must establish where passengers have arrived from and to do this may ask questions to establish their nationality and where they have travelled from.
If a citizen of the CTA has travelled within the CTA without a passport, the Immigration Officer is duty-bound to ask questions to establish that the person is entitled to benefit from the CTA immigration arrangements. The production of other forms of identification can be used to assist the Immigration Officer with these enquiries such as, but not limited to, a photo identity card or driver licence.
Ireland and the United Kingdom share a long history and common interest in the effective operation of the CTA and work together to prevent any abuses of the CTA.
