Allister lambasts 'Common Travel Area'
24 October 2007
Statement by Jim Allister MEP:
"The suggestion that, under a review of the Common Travel Area, UK citizens from Northern Ireland should have to produce their passports when travelling from NI to other parts of the UK is preposterous and unacceptable. If the UK needs more effective border controls, then they must be at the border, not located so as to de facto treat Northern Ireland as if it were part of an all-Ireland state.
UK citizens from Northern Ireland being denied free movement within their United Kingdom is utterly incompatible with and prejudicial to our British citizenship. I have, therefore, today written to the Home Secretary in the terms below seeking immediate clarification on what is intended."
Dear Secretary of State,
Re: Common Travel Area
Following media reports and a statement by the Irish Prime Minister to the Dail, I write to seek clarification on your plans.
It is reported that tighter passport controls between Ireland and the UK will mean anyone travelling between Ireland and Britain from 2009 will have to carry a passport, but that these controls will not apply to the Republic's border with Northern Ireland. If so, then how will the new controls be effective, since those present in the Republic of Ireland could simply enter through Northern Ireland, unless you anticipate the preposterous suggestion of imposing passport/control restrictions internally within the UK at the point where travellers enter GB?
I make it very clear to you that any attempt to restrict UK citizens in this part of the UK from freely travelling to another part of the UK and treating them as if they were citizens of the Republic of Ireland, would be utterly unacceptable and incompatible with our rights and status as UK citizens. I invite you to confirm that any fears on this basis are groundless.
I am intrigued to understand how you propose to make these restrictions effective, thus, I invite you to explain.
Yours sincerely,
