Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Browne for his kind comments. The 0.7% target is real and will be achieved. It is a matter of profound regret to me that it cannot be achieved within the timeframe set out, that is, by 2007. I have no doubt we will achieve it. It is a great sign of our country's progress that we are in a position to achieve the target. It is timely to hear Senator Browne say that the poverty we know in Ireland is as of nothing compared to what he saw on his journey in Africa. I hope to be travelling there as soon as next week.

The simple answer to the issue raised by Senator Browne is that there is a technical requirement to have a valid passport as one makes one's outward journey but there is no absolute requirement that it be valid for the return journey. Clearly, in all prudence and for practical purposes citizens are well advised to make sure their passports are valid for the full duration of their stay abroad so that they can come back to Ireland. That applies in particular to countries that are not members of the European Union.

It is also a requirement with some airlines for proof of identity. Clearly, a passport is not a valid travel document once it has expired and that also applies for travel within the EU. My speech, which is somewhat technical, will reaffirm that fact. If the House bears with me I will read it into the record.

My Department issues passports to Irish citizens at home and, through our embassies and consulates, to our citizens abroad. Passports are issued with a validity period of three years to children up to three years of age, and a validity period of five years for children up to 18 years of age. Thereafter, passports are issued for ten years.

Provided the passport is valid at the time of a person's departure from Ireland there is no formal requirement, as far as the Irish emigration authorities are concerned, that it should be valid for any minimum period beyond that. As far as our authorities are concerned, it is not essential for the passport to be valid for the full duration of the person's journey. If necessary, they can renew their passport at one of our embassies or missions abroad.

However, leaving aside the formal position, it is clearly desirable that the passport be valid for at least the duration of the journey. Simple prudence and common sense would dictate this. In the case of EU countries, all citizens of the Union have the right to enter and reside in the territory of any other member state for a period of up to three months, simply by presenting a valid passport or national identity card. No other formality is required. Member states cannot set additional conditions concerning the minimum validity or duration of an EU passport.

However, countries outside the European Union are of course entitled to set specific requirements for the entry of non-nationals into their territory. These may include a requirement that passports of visitors should be valid for a certain minimum period after the date of entry. Six months is the usual period in question.

Senators will appreciate that my Department is not in a position to know all the precise requirements of each individual country world-wide. It is up to every person to check with the embassy or consulate of the country to which they are travelling before they depart. Common sense applies, both in regard to passport validity and visa requirements.

The Passport Office provides general advice, which is available on the website, to the effect that some countries now insist that passports should be valid for at least six months after the start of a visit. It therefore advises citizens to check the validity of their passports well in advance of travelling to ensure that requirement is met, thus avoiding subsequent difficulties.

I appreciate it is frustrating for people to be told when they arrive, either at the airport of departure or at their destination abroad, that they do not have sufficient validity on their passport to enter the country concerned. However, the reality is that the Passport Office cannot always know the precise requirements of all other countries. These can and, indeed, do change from time to time. The responsibility must, therefore, rest with the individuals concerned to check that they satisfy the relevant entry requirements before they travel.

The Passport Office provides a responsive and helpful service to Irish citizens. The staff there are always willing to go to great lengths to facilitate people who have lost their passports or have forgotten to renew them, in order to ensure they do not have to change their travel plans. We are currently implementing a major project to modernise the passport issuing system, which will see the introduction of a much more secure passport booklet and an improved service to the public. Details of this will be announced shortly.

I pay tribute to the arrangements in place in the Department of Foreign Affairs. In a European and global context, it is unusual for someone to be able to renew his or her passport on the date of departure but that is possible here nowadays. While a comprehensive service is offered in that regard, we cannot be expected to check the requirements of every country. That is a matter for the individual concerned. If it is in order, a Leas-Chathaoirligh, I would be glad to take questions should Senator Browne wish to pose them.