Unionists welcome ferry passenger passport rule – but say Republic must do more on immigration
Unionists have welcomed new requirements for ferry passengers between the Republic of Ireland and Britain to carry a passport - but claim much more must be done to prevent illegal immigration from the south into to Northern Ireland.
However Sinn Fein have argued that the new rules should also apply to passengers travelling from Britain to Northern Ireland.
The debate comes as it emerged that ferry passengers between the Republic and Britain will need a passport from the end of next month, according to the UK Border Force.
Stena Line and Irish Ferries informed customers on Wednesday that the change is due to UK Border Force rules on “accuracy and integrity of passenger data before boarding”.
Currently, passengers are not always asked to show a passport but are sometimes required to have another form of photo ID.
Under the century-old Common Travel Area agreement, Irish and British citizens do not legally require a passport to travel between Ireland and Britain.
However, certain airlines have required a passport for boarding and the measure for ferries comes into effect from Monday September 28. Ferry operators say routes between Britain and Northern Ireland will not be affected by the changes.
The UK Home Office and the Irish Departments of Foreign Affairs and Justice were invited to comment.
DUP Leader Gavin Robinson said it is right that Border Force seek to tackle those who enter the UK illegally via ferry from Dublin or Rosslare.
"However, there remains a need for Border Force to direct their attention towards those who enter the United Kingdom via bus to Belfast from Dublin,” he said.
"Just a few weeks ago Border Force were clueless about the fact they even had the power to stop, board and inspect vehicles, yet were aware of people being directed to travel to Northern Ireland to present themselves for asylum claims.
"We will continue to challenge the government on what practical steps are being taken to tackle abuse of the border, strengthen enforcement and ensure the Republic of Ireland plays its part too.”
UUP MLA Dr Steve Aiken responded that there is “little control” of illegal migration by the Republic of Ireland, which he says seems “more inclined to facilitate” the movement of asylum seekers and undocumented migrants into the UK over the land border or on ferry routes, than to process them in the south.
“Just as the rest of the EU is enhancing its border security, it is incumbent on our nation to do the same,” he added. “Passports for ferry travellers on RoI to Wales/England routes are the price needed for these uncertain times. Our Party also continues to raise the question of what UK Border Force is doing about securing access across the land border. The Irish authorities have no compunction about screening travellers coming from Northern Ireland into the Republic, demanding proof of nationality (passports) for those entering the EU, so why can't the Home Office insist on a similarly robust approach here?”
Sinn Féin justice spokesman Matt Carthy said improved passenger information and data between the island of Ireland and Britain “makes sense”, but he said it should also include travel from Britain to NI.
He said: “Tightening passenger verification requirement on some but not all ferry travel between Britain and Ireland makes little sense.”