Is the Taoiseach aware of the requirement that will come into place from 25 February whereby Irish nationals arriving by boat, plane or otherwise into the UK will be obliged to present a valid Irish passport? Heretofore, all that was necessary was an ID card. This may not be a matter for the Government of the UK; I think it is Aer Lingus that is involved. It is sharp practice to introduce this on 25 February, which is only days away, when many of our people do not have passports but go to the UK frequently. Could the Taoiseach make some representation to Aer Lingus?

I certainly will. I will engage with the Deputy in the aftermath of this. Is he saying that any Irish citizen entering the UK? Does it include Northern Ireland?

No. It relates to those travelling to mainland Britain with Aer Lingus.

The Taoiseach and Deputy might need to engage further

We will pursue this with Aer Lingus and more generally. I will talk to Deputy Gallagher too.