Ian Graham makes an interesting point in a comment on Robin Wilton’s Post “Is this a news story?”
The Irish don’t have ID cards and their government has said that they are not going to have them. And if you’re Irish, you don’t have to carry a passport in the UK. Nor do you need a work permit (as Ireland is in the EU). So anyone from anywhere who wants to get a job in the UK without showing ID will simply say “I’m Irish”. End of story.
I’m just wondering what the dual citizenship requirements are between the UK and the Republic of Ireland… ;^)
I believe informal and historic are the best descriptions, but I would bow to anyone with knowledge.