Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

Section 16 permits the Minister to issue a diplomatic passport to an officer of the Minister of diplomatic rank or, under subsection (1)(b), to a person or one of a class of persons to whom the Minister considers it appropriate to issue such a passport. This permits reasonably broad discretion to designate who should be eligible for a diplomatic passport.

Deputy Lynch's colleague, Deputy Higgins, indicated his intention on Committee Stage to put forward an amendment in connection with the issuing of diplomatic passports to former Ministers for Foreign Affairs. Diplomatic passports can now be issued to all former Ministers. This section makes clear that such passports are intended to be used in connection with the performance of official duties abroad. This is in line with international practice and is a reasonable requirement. It is not permitted to use a diplomatic passport for travel for unofficial purposes such as personal or holiday travel. Individuals should use their personal passports for those purposes. Holders of diplomatic passports are not required to return them between trips abroad on official business. They are advised and expected to comply with the conditions under which they are issued and, in future, with the requirements of this Bill if enacted.

It is not necessary to extend the purposes for which diplomatic passports may be issued. I do not propose to accept the amendment.

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