Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as an ábhar seo a ardú. I thank Deputy McGrath for raising the matter. Like the Deputy I want to pay tribute to the staff in the Passport Office and to acknowledge the work that they do. The passport service is currently experiencing a high level of demand for passports, as citizens prepare for upcoming summer travel. The Department of Foreign Affairs has operational and staffing plans in place and the Passport Office is successfully responding to the current level of demand, and has issued almost 200,000 passports to date this year. Virtually all complete passport applications are being processed within or before advertised turnaround times. The Irish passport has a strong international reputation and currently ranks third in the Henley global passport index, as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 189 countries. As such, the passport service takes its responsibility to protect the integrity of the Irish passport very seriously. Since the introduction of online passport applications in 2017, adults renewing their passports through the Passport Office online are not required to submit a witnessed identity form. Online child renewal applications can be witnessed by members of a wide range of professions, including school teachers, doctors, elected representatives and gardaí. Deputy McGrath raised the issue of the application that was cancelled twice. I will bring that back to the Department. The Deputy raised a very important point that many families are genuinely frustrated and worried, despite their organisational abilities. There are certain passport applications for applicants resident in Ireland that require forms to be witnessed by a member of An Garda Síochána. These include: all passport applications sent by post; first-time adult online applications and first-time child online applications. The witnessing of these forms is an important element of the identity verification process for the passport service, as it provides initial assurance that the person in the photograph is the same person presenting to submit the passport application form.

In the case of an application for a minor, the witnessing of this form provides evidence that guardians have given their consent for a passport to be issued to the child. In order to protect the rights of parents or guardians and children, it is important that forms are correctly completed. As I mentioned previously, it is important to note that not all children’s passport applications must be witnessed by a garda. Child online renewal applications can be witnessed by a range of professions. When a garda does witness an application, it is the responsibility of the garda to ensure that the signature is correctly recorded in the logbook, so that when the passport service calls, the signature can be verified.

In the limited category of applications that require a garda witness, the passport service calls the relevant Garda station to confirm that the garda recorded the form in the station logbook. There is no requirement for the passport service to speak to the witnessing garda directly. Passport service staff will call the Garda station up to three times to verify the garda's signature. Where the passport service cannot reach the Garda station after three attempts, there is a system in place whereby the relevant superintendent’s office can be contacted to verify the details. If the passport service is unable to verify the witness after these steps have been taken, a new witnessed form will be requested from the applicant. Deputy McGrath made reference to the 21st century and the passport service is continuously looking at ways to make the application process easier for applicants, including the enhancement of digital services. The Department of Foreign Affairs would welcome the digitisation of the records maintained by An Garda Síochána when witnessing applications.

The policy on the use of witnesses is currently under review, as part of a general update of passport service policies. The witnessing policy is also being reviewed in the context of the ongoing programme of passport service reform. This reform programme focuses on the future of service delivery by implementing projects that enhance the customer experience while maintaining the integrity of the Irish passport. Elements of the reform programme being rolled out later this year and early next year, will introduce updates to the witnessing process, which will further enhance the service for customers. I will bring back the Deputy's remarks to the Department, because they are valid. All of us here who have experienced passport issues know how frustrating it can be.

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