Sir, – Joan Burton feels that it would be abhorrent if passport controls were introduced between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland should the UK leave the EU ("Burton raises spectre of border controls with North after Brexit", June 8th). Even if this event should take place this control is unlikely ever to happen as both countries have been part of the Common Travel Area since the 1920s and there is no requirement to show a passport when travelling within the CTA.
She appears to believe that an EU agreement in 1992 removed the necessity to produce a passport when travelling over European borders. If she is referring to the Schengen Agreement, which was brought into force in 1995, she might be interested to know that the UK and Ireland are not signatories to the Schengen Agreement so this does not apply.
It would be a bonus to all travellers arriving at Dublin Airport from within the Common Travel Area if this fact could be acknowledged by the Department of Justice and CTA passengers could be dealt with appropriately and not have to queue endlessly with those passengers arriving from outside the CTA and who are required to be seen by an immigration officer. – Yours, etc,
PAM ALEXANDER,
Balbriggan,
Co Dublin.