Government urges UK to think again over border pass proposal

Foreign Affairs minister Simon Coveney (left) and Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis arrive at a press conference (Brian Lawless/PA)

The Government has appealed for “special treatment” for the island, citing serious concerns about a planned UK requirement for foreigners to have an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) pass when crossing the border.

On Tuesday, MPs in the House of Commons voted to reject a Lords amendment that sought to ditch the requirement for foreigners to have an ETA pass when making a local journey to Northern Ireland from the Republic.