Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. Deputy Michael D. Higgins raised this issue previously. The position is that since the foundation of the State passports have always been issued by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, under the executive power of the State on the authority of the Government. This practice is perfectly legitimate. Enactment of the Passports Bill will simply add a legislative basis to the exercise of this function. Passports previously issued will not be invalidated because of the technical change in the basis on which passports are issued. Accordingly, the proposed amendment is not required.

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