In what could be viewed as history in the making, the UK government has made it mandatory for all domestic travellers between Northern Ireland and the mainland to carry and display ID cards to the authorities. The rule applies to all flights, ferries and all other modes of transportation from January 2008.

This exercise is on to curb the rise in terrorist activity that's on a high for the past few years. Carrying ID cards and being validated helps the authorities track down possible suspects or illegal immigrants.

Here's the rationale as provided by the Home Office publication: "It is often the case that domestic travel forms part of a journey beginning or ending overseas."

"For example, having arrived in the Republic or Northern Ireland from overseas, terrorist targets may then use domestic air and sea routes for travel to...the UK mainland."

"The lack of data on the domestic leg of such journeys creates a critical gap in the intelligence picture."

I have a feeling that the Muslim community might face the wrath as the ID cards make them identifiable.

This process will possibly be a bottle neck for travellers between the two states. A lot of inconvenience and delays will be a direct resultant. Heathrow is a practical example of such security checks.

Meanwhile MPs from Northern Ireland have shot down the new rule stating that the new exercise make the people from Northern Ireland look like second class citizens. There are reports that the ID card rule might be challenged in the courts.

via BNP