Originally Posted by
hsmall
What you say may be true as a matter of domestic Republic of Ireland law. I wonder whether the RoI is honouring its commitments in the CTA agreement by demanding identity documents while the UK authorities to my understanding do not (I don't know and am only asking)?
My understanding is that the CTA only applies to UK (including Manx, CI) and Irish citizens. Everyone else is subject to immigration control when traveling between CTA members. Practically that privilege is also extended to other EU citizens too. The Irish justify their ID checks as a means of identifying whether a traveller has CTA privileges or not.
Practically speaking in my experience the check has never amounted to more than a quick glance at the photo page and often I've been waved through at the sight of a maroon passport.