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NO PASSPORT, NO GO!
 Travellers
between Britain and Ireland will need a passport when an electronic borders
system comes into force in two years time.
It will mean the end of the Common Travel Area, which allows passport-free
travel between the two countries.
When the new system is implemented it will mean travellers by air or by
sea will need to carry passports instead of the usual photo ID which is
currently required.
Similarly any British person arriving in the Republic will also require
a passport.
The proposed move will mean that the hundreds of elderly Irish living
in Britain will have to apply for a passport for the very first time in
their lives.
And many could struggle to find the necessary documentation that is required
when submitting an application.
Director of the Irish Elderly Advice Network Sally Mulready said: “It’s
a terrible shame that it has become necessary to have to have a passport
for travel between the two countries.
“But on a positive note I think the elderly should be encouraged
to hold one especially now that they are free for anyone over 65.
“A passport is someone’s identity and most people are happy
and proud to hold one.
“There may be some inconveniences in terms of documentation but
there are many organisations out there to help the elderly with their
applications.
“On the whole I think it’s a good thing.”
The British have decided to develop the e-border system in order to track
the movements of terrorist suspects, criminals and illegal immigrants.
Advance passenger information will be checked against watchlists by the
British authorities. Although people have been able to travel freely between
Ireland and Britain without any documents since 1922, airlines have insisted
on photo identification since the September 11 terrorist attacks on the
United States.
For years the Irish have enjoyed the freedom of being able to travel to
Britain by air and by sea without having a passport but when the new e-borders
are introduced it will mean the end to that privilege.
Manager of the Liverpool Irish Centre Phil McQuaid expressed his concern
for the people who travel regularly from Liverpool to Dublin by ferry.
He said: “I think in general it will be a real hassle for people
especially the elderly amongst us. “We’ve already had a number
of people enquiring about the new laws.
“Not only will there be cost implications but there will also be
many elderly who don’t possess the correct documents when applying
for a passport for the first time.
“Scores of people from around here travel by ferry to Dublin to
visit family because it is so handy. “We would like to let all our
patrons know that there are application forms on sight at the centre and
we will help our patrons to fill them in.”
Irish Ambassador to London David Cooney believes the issue is not one
for concern.
He said: “This is all coming from the British Government’s
initiative to develop the boarders and that is all linked up to the British
Government’s intention to introduce identity cards in Britain so
the details of this are only being broken and the two Governments are
in very close contact as to how this will be worked through.
“My understanding is that by 2009 any one who is resident in the
UK will be expected to have an identity card.
“So I think if you look at it you’ll probably have an identity
card anyway, which may well be sufficient.
“I don’t think people need to get too excited about this at
this stage.
“This is not something that will impact particularly on the Irish
in Britain.
“This is something that will affect everyone in Britain and we have
to wait and see how it works out.
“It will possibly have a bigger effect on the Irish in Ireland.
“It’s not going to cause a huge shock to people I don’t
think.”
It is not expected that the land border between the Republic and the North
will be included - as that would be impossible to police.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the electronic screening of all
passengers checking in and out of Britain was a priority and having a
system in place by 2009 was crucial.
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