Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.

On 15 February 2010, the Dubai chief of police confirmed that several suspects, believed to have been involved with the killing of Hamas chief, Mahmoud al Mabhouh, in January, had entered Dubai on the passports of a number of foreign countries. Twenty-six suspects were named, of whom three had travelled on Australian passports, four on French passports, 12 using British passports, one on a German passport and six on Irish passports. Following further discussions between our ambassador in Abu Dhabi and the Dubai police during which additional information was provided, the passport service was able to confirm that the Irish passports used were counterfeit. Subsequent investigations by the Dubai police exposed more fraudulent passports, two of which were Irish, bringing the total number of Irish passports used to eight.

Unlike the position for many of the countries whose passports were used, the fake Irish passports did not involve the stolen identities of actual Irish citizens. Instead, passport numbers were used in respect of six of these passports while the remaining two passports were never issued by the Irish passport service. Officials of my Department contacted the six Irish citizens and, in the case of two minors, their families, whose passport numbers were stolen. Replacement passports have issued to each citizen concerned.

When I became aware of the suggestion that Irish passports may have been used by persons involved in the Dubai killing, I initiated an investigation by the passport service. The Garda Síochána is also undertaking its own investigation. Since the investigations commenced, officials of my Department have been in regular and ongoing contact with the Dubai authorities through the Irish Embassy in Abu Dhabi. The Dubai police have provided further information as it has emerged locally over the past three months. This information has been used by the passport service and passed on to the Garda.

I have just received the report of the passport service and am considering its findings. I intend to share those findings with my Government colleagues. Officials of the passport service continue to provide assistance to the Garda Síochána in the completion of its investigation. On that basis, I expect to be in a position to make a statement on the matter within the next couple of weeks.

I emphasise once again the seriousness with which the Government regards any attempt to forge Irish passports, even more so to use such documents as cover for criminal activity. The Irish passport is widely regarded and respected throughout the world as being of the highest quality. Ireland has invested heavily in additional security features in order that its citizens can travel in safety. Actions which endanger Ireland's well-earned reputation in this area have the potential to affect the security of all citizens travelling overseas. The Government is determined to maintain the good name of Irish passports.

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