Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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183. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an incident in which an Irish citizen was denied boarding a flight (details supplied) will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16374/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The Common Travel Area allows Irish and UK citizens to travel freely between both countries without a passport. However, airlines and sea carriers are entitled to set their own policies regarding the documents they will accept as valid identification at time of boarding. Generally, the contract between the airline and customers is bound by the terms and conditions set out at the time of booking with the airline. Any intending passengers should make themselves aware of the terms and conditions of any bookings made, including the accepted forms of photo identification.

While my Department has overall responsibility for transport policy, including aviation, it is not within my remit to intervene in the operational matters of private commercial airlines or indeed to intervene in individual cases between passenger and airlines.

Regulation (EU) 261 of 2004 ("EU 261") sets out the rights of air passengers in the event of denied boarding, downgrading, delay and cancellation. Under the regulation passengers may be validly denied boarding if there were reasonable grounds, such as reasons of health, safety or security, or inadequate travel documentation.

If a passenger believes their rights under EU261 have been infringed, they make a complaint to the designated National Enforcement Body (NEB) in the Member State the incident occurred. The Irish Aviation Authority is the NEB for flights departing Ireland or flights from a non-EEA country on an EU-licensed carrier to an Irish airport. Formal complaints can be submitted via their website www.iaa.ie/consumer-protection.