Llinos Medi MP is urging the UK Government to introduce a longer transition period before new passport requirements for travel between Great Britain and Ireland come into effect on 28 September, warning that the current timeline risks causing significant disruption for families, businesses and travellers.
The new requirements, announced on 26 August, mean that passengers travelling on affected ferry routes between the Republic of Ireland and Great Britain will need to present a valid passport or Irish passport card, with other forms of identification no longer being accepted.
Llinos Medi MP said:
‘This change has been announced with just over a month before implementation. While I recognise the importance of maintaining secure and effective border arrangements, the timescale for adaptation to this new rule is simply too short for many people and businesses who regularly travel between Great Britain and Ireland.
Many frequent travellers have historically relied on alternative forms of identification when travelling across the Irish Sea. They are now being asked to obtain passports at very short notice, creating uncertainty for people with existing travel plans.’
The Ynys Môn MP warned that businesses across her constituency of Ynys Môn and other communities with strong links to Ireland could be adversely affected by this change, with examples of uncertainty already coming to light.
‘I have already been contacted by Teithiau Elfyn Thomas, a respected business from my constituency of Ynys Môn, that has highlighted the very real consequences these changes could have. The company has told me it is potentially facing substantial losses on just one trip because of the short notice being given before these new requirements come into effect.
Many of their customers are elderly people who do not currently have passports because they have never previously needed one for these journeys. Expecting people to secure passports within such a short timeframe is simply unrealistic and risks causing significant stress, disruption and financial hardship.’
Llinos Medi is calling on the UK Government and relevant agencies to take urgent action by extending the implementation period and introducing measures to protect businesses and passengers from avoidable losses and has already written to the Home Secretary raising these concerns.
‘The Government must act urgently to mitigate the financial impact on businesses and travellers. That means providing a longer grace period, ensuring passport processing capacity is sufficient to meet demand, and exploring support or flexibility for operators and passengers who stand to lose significant sums as a result of these changes.
Rather than forcing people into a last-minute scramble, the Government should provide a longer grace period and work with ferry operators to ensure passengers have adequate time to prepare.’
Llinos Medi has been in discussions with her fellow Plaid Cymru MPs given the widespread impact of this issue, and stresses that this is not solely an issue for Ynys Môn.
