Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Question 24: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to move the passport service from his Department to the Department of Justice and Law Reform; the reasons behind such a decision; and the expected cost of such a move [5349/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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As the Deputy is aware, the programme for Government included the commitment that consideration would be given to transferring the passport service from the Department of Foreign Affairs to the Department of Justice and Law Reform to operate as an independent executive agency under the aegis of that Department. Officials in my Department are currently examining the issues associated with this commitment and it is, therefore, premature to conclude at this time when this transfer will proceed. However, I expect to have made a decision on this matter within the next three months. A passport is an identity document and, in this context it is more appropriate that the issuing authority be under the responsibility of the Department of Justice and Law Reform which has responsibility for citizenship law. It would, in this regard, be in line with many passport agencies internationally. I have asked my officials to consider the most appropriate organisational arrangements which would enable the passport service to operate on a self financing basis, while maintaining a direct and accountable reporting relationship to the Dáil.

At this point I am unable to quantify the exact costs of a transfer, if it does proceed. However, I expect that where costs are experienced they would likely to be accommodated within the routine operation of the passport service.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I wish the Minister and the Minister of State every success in their positions.

However, the Minister has outlined the rationale for the transfer of functions. The Department has generally managed the passport service well. In many countries the foreign affairs Department or its equivalent manages passport services and that should continue here.

What is the current processing time for a passport? What contingency plans will the Minister put in place to either protect or improve the processing time pending the transfer of services to the Department of Justice and Law Reform? In advance of the busy summer season, how many additional staff does he intend to allocate to the Passport Office? When will they take up office? What impact will they have on processing times?

With regard to the cases of abuse of Irish passports last year, what is the current status of the investigation within the Department? Have other sanctions been taken, apart from those publicised? Does the Minister plan to restore the facility to this House whereby Members can assist their constituents to acquire passports in difficult circumstances? I support Deputy Ring's many calls for the location of a passport office on the west coast.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Rightly so.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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How far west does Deputy Calleary want it?

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I should have said nothing about supplementary questions earlier. I was tempting fate. There were approximately ten supplementary questions.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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One should be careful what one wishes for.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I do not have the information regarding processing times but I will forward it to the Deputy. He raised a number of issues relating to security and the use of fake passports. That is precisely the rationale for the proposed transfer from my Department to the Department of Justice and Law Reform.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Surely the changes can be made within the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Issues relating to citizenship are currently dealt with by the Department of Justice and Law Reform. The issuance of passports is different now from 30 or 40 years ago when it was taken as a matter of course that this would be done by the Department of Foreign Affairs. In many jurisdictions, the issuing of passports is closely aligned with immigration functions and the issuing of identities.

The Deputy asked about the busy summer season and I will ensure sufficient resources are available in the Passport Office to avoid delays. Ideally, I would like to have a scenario where it is not necessary for people seeking passports to have to route their queries through busy Members who will have many legislative responsibilities to deal with. However, it is something I will look at.