Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

Where an applicant meets the requirements set out in the legislation in respect of identity and citizenship, the Minister will issue a passport. However, the Bill does not make issuing a passport a mandatory requirement. If the amendment were accepted, section 11 would be the only circumstance in which the Bill obliged the Minister to issue a passport. In the interest of ensuring consistency with other sections, it is preferable that the existing wording be retained. I assure the Deputy that when the requirements of section 11 are met, the Minister will issue a passport in the new name and sex of the applicant. I cannot accept the amendment.

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