Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)

I propose to share time with Deputy Alan Shatter.

I congratulate the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Michael Kitt, on his appointment. The Passports Bill 2007 is important and badly needed. The failure to introduce updated legislation in this area has been a long-standing omission given that the Ministers and Secretaries Act, the most recent legislation to deal with passports, was placed on the Statute Book in 1924.

New legislation on passports is required primarily due to heightened awareness about passport security. We do not want organised criminals to get their hands on passports to be used for fraudulent purposes. Many Hollywood films show the results of identity and passport theft and it is important we address the problem.

Biometric chips are capable of holding different types of personal information, including fingerprints, facial dimensions and iris scans. The use of this type of technology to reduce fraudulent use of passports is welcome. The computers and offices in which the information is stored should be secure to ensure the wrong people cannot access it for their own benefit. The world has not faced as many threats as it has since the attack on the World Trade Centre. Identity and passport fraud has been increasing, but this legislation will ensure the incidence of passport theft will fall.

Will the estimated cost of €34 million to improve the passport service and introduce biometric passports have a direct effect on consumers through a rise in passport prices? I have received complaints from constituents about the price being on the steep side. For example, a ten-year 34-page passport costs €75 and a 66-page passport costs €100.

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