96 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a company (details supplied) is telling customers that they now need a passport for the UK and will not issue tickets without one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31725/01]

I am advised by the company in question that it does not require passengers to hold a passport for travel to the UK. As the company operates a ticketless booking service passengers travelling to the UK, other than children under 12 years of age, are requested to present a photo identification document at check-in to confirm that their identity matches reservations made.