"That's a very strange view. Lots and lots of microlights get to cross the Irish Sea. "
Genuine question .. Sorry, I hadn't realised that microlights made trips across that stretch of water quite so often ...
....
Anyway .. on a practical level I think you'll find that if an ATC clearance is req/d it's not subject to any "police approval".... it's up to you to comply with any police/home office etc requirements ..
Wasn't there some sort of CTA zone conference/meeting recently at Govt. level to discuss the current arrangements?
I believe that Islander's interpretation/understanding of the requirements is actually correct.... as are the concerns that police are too ready to overstep their authority and the erosion of civil liberties.
It does seem a bit daft to have these requirements in that travelling by road from Nth to Sth Ireland has no controls, or even any sign that you're crossing the border (other than the road gets better going south!! & the sgins are in Kms).