Mr. Joseph Nugent:

To take forgery, as opposed to false applications, the book is at the high end of passport security features. We have a range of security features that are not used by any other passports in use around the world at the moment. We are most definitely at the upper end of the security element. The process for forging the passport is much more difficult. The Deputy referred to some high profile instances of this internationally. The documents that were used were very old, going back three versions of that document for forging purposes. We have moved on considerably in that area.

The biometric element is the shape of a person's face and personal information which is protected using encryption and technology beyond my understanding. It is encrypted on the document itself. The range of physical security measures makes it difficult to photocopy or forge. I am happy to give a guarantee that, in so far as we can, we have moved the passport document into a different space.

We have some general leaflets which we used at the holiday world show. I will leave them with the committee to provide a sample or flavour of some of the images that would apply.

Deputy Crowe asked why there were no images on the book that are North of the Border. The issue for the Irish passport was more about citizenship and heritage rather than territorial issues. It definitely recognises that the right to an Irish passport does not stop at the Border. There are a number of images that reflect the all-Ireland dimension of the book itself. There is a map of Ireland prominently inside the front cover. It is there proudly to reflect that somebody who is an Irish citizen comes from this island. That was an important element for it. It also includes a range of other matters, including the text of Article 2 of the Constitution, which deals with a person's entitlement to Irish citizenship related to being part of the island of Ireland, and which is on the document itself. That appears both in Irish and English through the book. The crests of the four provinces appear inside the back cover. A range of river gods of Ireland are also referenced, including the Bann and the Lagan. There are a series of images that reflect that all-island dimension. Much of our cultural heritage is reflected in the book. The Deputy referred to the poetry of James Orr but, equally, there are cross-Border and all-island sports that are referenced such as Gaelic games and our musical heritage. We have moved the book into a place that tries to express that broad issue of entitlement.

I apologise if I have missed somebody's question, but I think I have answered most of them. I was asked why the PPS number is not included on the passport. I cannot remember who asked that question. The standard concerning the production of the passport book is laid down through international standards. Therefore, producing a person's PPS number on the book is a challenge. We have spoken to the Department of Social Protection about that issue and we will see if there are mechanisms to facilitate individuals in that regard. However, it is not something that can be done simply. The actual format and layout of the book is governed by international standards and we clearly want to ensure the Irish passport stays within those parameters.