New legal powers are set to allow gardaí to turn back people from Northern Ireland making non-essential journeys across the border.
Legislation is also being formed to enable gardaí to impose fines on non-residents who are breaching Covid-19 restrictions in the Republic.
Checkpoints will focus those who are travelling more than 5km into the State, according to reports.
Up to now, gardaí could ask motorists from Northern Ireland to turn back, but they did not have the legal authority to tell them to leave.
The Sunday Times reports that a statutory regulation on the matter is due to be signed by Health Minister Stephen Donnelly this week.
The measures are part of new plans introduced by Cabinet this month aimed at reducing travel in and out of the country. This includes an increase in the fixed penalty fine relating to breaches of the non-essential international travel restriction, a range of mandatory quarantine measures, and the restriction of travel from South Africa, Brazil and other South American countries. Legislation is being created to ensure that the current travel regulations apply to those who travel to Ireland from overseas and route their journeys via Northern Ireland
Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said the new powers would strengthen the authority of gardaí but it is “a matter for the PSNI” whether similar checks would be in place on the other side.
“If on a road south of the border, 5km from the border, someone’s on that road and doesn’t have a valid explanation as to why they’re travelling, they will be subject to prosecution and fine,” Minister Ryan told RTE.
