Starting today, airlines and ferry companies bringing passengers to Ireland without proper travel documentation will face steeper penalties. The maximum fine has been raised from €3,000 to €5,000, according to the Department of Justice.
This move is part of a broader effort to curb illegal immigration, a growing concern in Ireland. Justice Minister Helen McEntee emphasized the importance of carriers in maintaining border security. She stated, “Airlines and ferry companies are crucial in safeguarding our borders and must ensure passengers have valid passports, ID cards, and visas.”
According to Irishindependent, the government has already implemented several measures to reduce the number of undocumented arrivals. These include stricter visa requirements, increased funding for border security, and accelerated processing for asylum seekers.
Last year, there was a significant drop in the number of people arriving in Ireland without proper documentation, with fines totaling nearly €1.5 million. So far in 2023, 115 people have been arrested for this reason, and the number of undocumented arrivals is expected to be half of what it was in 2022.
Further guidelines and potentially more dynamic fines are being considered to encourage carriers to rigorously enforce documentation checks.