'No Irish' at Stranraer rule not on, says Cowen
FOREIGN Affairs Minister Brian Cowen has asked the British authorities to investigate a claim that Irish nationals are being asked to write their names in English on embarkation cards at Stranraer port.
Mr Cowen, in a written Dail reply to Sinn Fein's Caoimhghin O Caolain, said he would be concerned if Irish nationals were being discriminated against on linguistic grounds.
The minister has asked the Irish Embassy in London to raise the matter with the British Foreign and Commonwealth office. He also said he had asked the Consul General in Edinburgh to look into the matter.
Mr O Caolain had asked if the Irish were being singled out by the Scottish police demanding the English version of Irish names. Mr Cowen said he would respond directly to the Sinn Fein TD when he gets a reply from Britain.
- Geraldine CollinsDail Correspondent
