No Irish person needs a passport to enter own country

[monsieur]

Way back in 1965 when a certain Ian Smith seized independence for the white minority in Rhodesia sanctions were introduced by some European countries against the 'regime'. One of them included the banning of the issue/renewal of passports for residents of that country. So of course there was consternation among the Irish who had maintained links with Ireland and who wanted to return here on holidays.
A question on the matter was raised in the Dail and the Minister for External Affairs at the time stated categorically that no 'Irish person requires a passport to enter her/his own country' .....I presume, from anywhere.
Over the years I've used this from time to time when too weary to take the document out my bag....and have sometimes been detained for a while with potential asylum seekers but generally when I explain the Dail statement...........and yes, nothing has changed.
Anyhow in the end these department people who should be in uniform can only ask me for my name and address....

[Ard-Taoiseach]

Way back in 1965 when a certain Ian Smith seized independence for the white minority in Rhodesia sanctions were introduced by some European countries against the 'regime'. One of them included the banning of the issue/renewal of passports for residents of that country. So of course there was consternation among the Irish who had maintained links with Ireland and who wanted to return here on holidays.
A question on the matter was raised in the Dail and the Minister for External Affairs at the time stated categorically that NO IRISH PERSON REQUIRED A PASSPORT TO ENTER HER/HIS COUNTRY.
Over the years I've used this from time to time when too weary to take the document out my bag....and have sometimes been detained for a while with potential asylum seekers but generally when I explain the Dail statement...........and yes, nothing has changed.
Anyhow in the end these department people who should be in uniform can only ask me for my name and address....

Why did you capitalise the thread title? That's not welcome round these parts...

[seanad voter]

Ah, well I remember being told in June 1978 when I was just about to enter the civil service in Dublin that because I was born in Londonderry, Northern Ireland I was not Irish.

[drbob1972]

Over the years I've used this from time to time when too weary to take the document out my bag....and have sometimes been detained for a while with potential asylum seekers but generally when I explain the Dail statement...........and yes, nothing has changed.
Anyhow in the end these department people who should be in uniform can only ask me for my name and address....

so its less hassle to be detained until you explain that bit of history to the immigration police than it is to route in your bag / pockets for your passport ? )

[adamirer]

yeah bit daft, I mean you really need a passport to prove that you don't need one.. if you follow. I'll take pragmatism over ideology anyday...

[joel]

Ah, well I remember being told in June 1978 when I was just about to enter the civil service in Dublin that because I was born in Londonderry, Northern Ireland I was not Irish.

Why, are you Irish? - just when it suits, eh?

[michael1965]

Anyhow in the end these department people who should be in uniform can only ask me for my name and address....

They're actually Garda officers. But I agree, they should be in some kind of uniform ..

.... then again, maybe not....

... better not to create an expectation of efficiency and tidiness to visitors.

[Podolski]

What about the passport check when leaving another country and heading for Ireland? I had to present my passport for inspection at an airport in one of the newer EU member states a few weeks ago, even though I was leaving that country.

[Rivershannon]

Met a person like you recently when returning to this country through Dublin Airport. Held the queue up while he argued about presenting his Passport. He had to prove he was on a flight from London and to the delight of all got a hard time from customs where his bags were opened and checked.

[CookieMonster]

People who hold up the queue for no good reason should be shot, dragged aside and dealth with later.

*shakes fist*