Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I really appreciate the Minister of State's reply. An Irish passport is a precious document and there should be no shortcuts in applying for it for people who are abroad and probably already have a passport of the country in which they live. Where a British citizen is seeking an Irish passport on the basis of descent, for example, that is a reasonable proposition. The case I have outlined is not the same. These are children who have no other state. It has been adjudicated on by the High Court that they are Irish citizens. There are orders and documentation from the court to that effect. DNA has been produced. All of that evidence was put before the court and the latter has issued orders.

My argument is that there should be a red-circled group of applicants and an expedited list. The persons I referred to should jump to the top because they do not have another passport. The family to which I referred is prohibited from travelling, full stop, because the parents will not travel without their baby. It is unreasonable that an Irish citizen child resident in this country is denied a passport or the issuing of a passport is delayed because of this issue. I completely respect that the process needs to be robust but I am referring to a special group. I am asking for a red-circling of that group and special treatment for it.