Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 7:

In page 6, line 4, to delete "may" and substitute "shall".

I raised this issue on Second and Committee Stages. One of the difficulties we witnessed in Chad when children were being exported or transferred to France was that nobody could identify them. I do not infer that such a situation will arise here but I cannot see why we are not issued with a passport at birth, which is the case for birth certificates.

Knowingly or otherwise, my intention was misinterpreted by some speakers on Second Stage. A week-old child can get a passport lasting three or five years. We would be able to track people and it would help to maintain the electoral register because people could automatically be included on it. Adoption of my amendment would bring great administrative benefits. Cattle and even donkeys get passports on birth, yet we will not give them to our children. I ask the Minister of State to consider the issue because I have not heard any good reason for not including my amendment in the Bill.

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