Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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I move:

That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to reinforce the Common Travel Area by providing for passport-free travel for persons who are entitled to travel within the Common Travel Area without a passport and to provide for related matters.

I recently met a constituent who runs his own business. He was given the opportunity at short notice to present a business case to a company in the UK, which could have generated substantial revenue for his business, but unfortunately that was not to be as he could not make the meeting. He booked a last minute flight to Birmingham, and as he had travelled to the UK in the past with a different airline using his driving licence as an acceptable form of identification, he again brought his driving licence thinking it would suffice. Unfortunately for him and his business, that form of ID was deemed unacceptable by the airline in question. As the UK is our most important trading partner and the single most important market for Irish exports, with €1 billion of traded goods now crossing the Irish Sea each week, and in light of political relations being stronger than ever, freedom of travel between the two countries with less red tape is essential.

An elderly married couple in my constituency who never availed of air travel raised with me the prohibitive cost of a ten year passport. It is €95 for a passport if a person presents himself or herself at the Passport Office. They intend to travel to the UK for a family member's wedding and they are being asked for passports which they might never use again. It is stressful for them to have to pay €190 because they had not budgeted for the cost and cannot afford it. The cost is very unfair and stressful on families. It is my hope that if enacted, the new legislation will make travel between Ireland and the UK much easier, and qualifying people will no longer be required to present a passport when visiting the areas in question. Instead, a valid driver's licence, a student card, a Garda age card or a work identification card including a photograph would be accepted by all airlines.

At present, a number of carriers accept other forms of identification from passengers other than a passport when travelling within the common travel area, but unfortunately there is no legislation at present to prohibit a carrier from deciding which identification it requires from passengers travelling within the common travel area. The purpose of my legislation is to put an end to the prohibitive and confusing practice. If enacted, the law will continue to allow carriers to operate identification checks for passengers but will ultimately harmonise the identification that is needed within the common travel area, thus ensuring less frustration for passengers.

This week I contacted Ryanair's chief executive, Michael O'Leary, to make him aware of my Bill and to ask for his support for what I propose in light of Ryanair's recent efforts to take a more customer-friendly approach. I am hopeful the airline will welcome the Bill and allow passengers travelling within the common travel area to use the recommended acceptable forms of photographic identification instead of allowing a passport only to be used. From the point of view of convenience for citizens, the current legislation does not prohibit any carrier involved in transporting people within the common travel area from seeking appropriate confirmation of the identity of the passenger in question. The conditions regarding identity documents are stipulated by carriers and their reasons for those conditions. If enacted, the Bill would allow carriers to operate identification checks for passengers. However, for travel within the common travel area, they would no longer be allowed to insist that persons permitted to avail of transit within the common travel area are compelled to present or carry their passport. The purpose of the legislation is to promote better relations and provide easier movement for people between the North of Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Great Britain, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands. We can all travel with ease to the North of Ireland currently and the legislation would ensure such ease of travel by aeroplane between North and South and between the islands.

Thank you again, a Cheann Comhairle. I was a little anxious on my arrival in the Chamber as I was afraid of missing my slot.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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It could happen to any of us. Is the Bill opposed?

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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No.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Since this is a Private Members' Bill, Second Stage must, under Standing Orders, be taken in Private Members' time.

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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I move: "That the Bill be taken in Private Members' time."