Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

I will press the amendment. I agree the appeals office is an inexpensive way of proceeding. As there was only one refusal, a passport appeals officer might have absolutely nothing to do and it might not prove to be an inexpensive option. I agree people have the right to a judicial review but the idea is not to jam up the courts in the first instance. The easiest way of dealing with it is that the person selected as a passport appeals officer has the power to set aside the decision of the Minister. At least then, the passport appeals office would have some teeth and some function. The way it is set out at the moment, it is a hearing which can do nothing other than confirm the Minister's decision. The second part is that it can refer the decision back to the Minister with a recommendation but no guarantee of outcome, especially considering it would then be up to the Minister to admit a mistake had been made. I wonder how many Ministers are willing to admit to such a mistake. I cannot see that office working.

All I have been trying to do in this amendment is ensure that rather than forcing people to opt for a judicial review, they can have a proper hearing at District Court level rather than clog up the High Court or a higher court. The issues can be teased out properly and the Minister can defend himself or herself. The reason behind the refusal to issue a passport to an Irish citizen is what is at issue so I will press the amendment.

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