Britain to seek details of air and ferry passengers

THE British government has put in place measures to force airlines and ferry companies to hand over details of all passengers travelling from Ireland to Britain.

The move is part of a tightening of border controls in Britain and Northern Ireland for policing, customs and immigration reasons.

But British Home Office junior minister Meg Hillier insisted no physical controls would be introduced north of the Irish border.

Ms Hillier said measures were already in place for information to be sent to the British authorities about passengers travelling from the Republic to Britain by sea or air.

“This will allow us to screen passengers in advance of travel, providing reassurance to the public and enabling us to target those who pose a threat to the national interest and respond appropriately,” she said.

Information on Irish nationals would be used for customs and police checks, not for immigration reasons, she said.

The measures are yet to be enacted by the British government but the data will be sent electronically.

The measures were outlined in a letter to a British Labour MP in response to a query from a British national who lives in Ireland.

Ms Hillier confirmed the future of the Common Travel Area, or CTA, between Britain, the north, the Republic, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

Irish and British citizens travelling within the CTA are not required to produce a passport for travel, but airlines and ferry companies have a policy of requiring valid photographic identification.

“There is no question of ending the Common Travel Area, and we have no immediate plans to change the requirements for those travelling between the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

“However, the [UK’s] border and immigration agency is reviewing the rules and operation of the CTA to explore how border security can be strengthened in future,” said Ms Hillier.