Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 27: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide details of the review of the security system on passports; if this was recommended in the Garda and Passport Service reports to him following the fraudulent use of passports in January 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30197/10]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 30: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the representations he has made to the Government of the Russian Federation following revelations that one of those arrested in the US for alleged spying was in a possession of a forged Irish passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30199/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 30 together.

The current Irish passport system is one of the most secure in the world. The taxpayer has made a significant investment in enhancing the security of passports. The passport has been designed to ensure that the technologies used are those strictly controlled and mandated by the relevant international body, ICAO, International Civil Aviation Organisation, in Montreal. Officers of the passport service meet regularly with other similar jurisdictions and ICAO to ensure that Irish passport meet international security demands and best practice.

While the fake Irish passports used by those suspected of involvement in the Dubai assassination were of a type produced before the introduction of the current APS passport in 2005, it must be emphasised that these passports conformed fully to the highest international standards in place at that time. The passport was further enhanced in 2006 with the addition of a biometric chip, the Irish e-passport.

As forgery techniques advance, through the availability of more sophisticated production equipment, it is essential that the security of Irish passports are kept under constant review. It is in this context I announced last week that I have requested the passport service to initiate an ongoing review of passport technology to ensure that the Irish passport continues to be a trusted and secure travel document. The review will include consultations with the ICAO secretariat.

In regard to the issue of the alleged use of counterfeit Irish passports on Sunday 27 June, United States federal agents arrested a number of people for allegedly carrying out long-term, deep-cover assignments in the United States on behalf of the Russian Federation. The individuals were subsequently charged with conspiring to act as unlawful agents of the Russian Federation within the United States and, in the case of some of the individuals, additional charges related to money laundering. The affidavit lodged by the FBI alleges that one of the defendants had travelled to Moscow using a false Irish passport.

Upon hearing of this allegation, I immediately asked the passport service to investigate the matter and to work in close co-operation with An Garda Síochána. Investigations are under way. They are at a very preliminary stage and, therefore, I am not in a position to provide more detail today.

At this time, what we are confronted with is an allegation in a US court that an individual had travelled from Rome to Moscow on a false Irish passport. Our own investigating officers are working to establish the veracity of this allegation and the nature of the evidence to substantiate it. Accordingly, it is premature to reach any conclusions or make representations to other Governments at this time.

I wish to see the current investigations concluded at the earliest opportunity. However, I am conscious that there is a legal process under way in the United States. I am sure Deputies would share with me the necessity not to comment or act in any way that might influence the outcome of these proceedings.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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We all know what the started the passport affair, namely, the incident in Dubai last February. The Minister said this incident related to one of the pre-2005 passports. I presume the passport to which he referred is the one with the plastic-covered picture. Has he any idea what passport was used by the individual on the trip to Russia? What type of passport was used by the one and only Richard Murphy in that case? It is important to find out whether the automatic passport system was used.

The Minister stated the new e-passport is quite secure. Thirty-three thousand passports were stolen, mislaid or lost in Ireland last year. This represents approximately 6% of the passports issued in 2009. Is the Minister happy that the e-passport is secure and that Irish citizens feel safe using it? That is an important question.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The investigation is at a very early stage and it is important that we get the full facts thereon as early as possible. I am loth to comment specifically on the details on the assertion that has been made.

The Deputy asked whether the current passport technology is safe. It is top class and to a very high specification.

The Deputy is correct about the Dubai incident in that the passports concerned were pre-2005 passports. Perhaps some of the passports in the current case are pre-2005 passports but, to be sure, we must await the emergence of specific details.

The Deputy's point on the number of passports lost is a separate issue. We must acknowledge that, in the modern era, there are people, or agents, who have very significant capacity, despite the most recent technological advances, to continue to attempt to forge and steal identities. Technology experts would advance this point. That said, such offences have not occurred to date in respect of the post-2005 passport to my knowledge.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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There are a few questions that need to be answered. The pre-2005 passport had the same name and details as the original passport but a different serial number. How come this was not picked up by the authorities in the countries in question?

I am disappointed the Minister said he will not publish the report on the Israeli passport affair, or that he has not published it yet. He promised Deputy Timmins last May that he would publish it as soon as possible. A report was produced by the Garda and the Irish Passport Office. Have they recommended that the report be published? It is important. We know of eight or nine fake passports and do not know how many more there are. Is Ireland a soft touch in terms of superpowers faking passports?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Is the Deputy referring to the Dubai report?

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Yes.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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We said we would provide a redacted version for the Deputies concerned. Members opposite, with the exception of Deputy Michael D. Higgins, were preoccupied over the past fortnight. I will revert to Deputy Pat Breen.

We must be careful about our remarks because no issue arises in respect of millions of Irish passports. There are approximately 2 million valid passports of the pre-2005 type held by Irish citizens on this island and around the world. We do not have correspondence details for every one of these people and must be practical. The Deputy may rest assured that from 2005 the investment in this area was very significant. On foot of advanced technological input, we have a very good high-quality passport. Understandably, the Irish passport is held in very high regard internationally and is not a soft touch.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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When does the Minister hope to have the review on passport security carried out?

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is an ongoing review. I hope it will be ready in a matter of months.