Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 82: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to reports that an embassy (details supplied) is charging its citizens exorbitant rates to apply for a passport or national identity card, which documents are required by all non- national parents of Irish born children who wish to apply for residency here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4957/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that I have been made aware of reports that certain embassies may be charging particular amounts for the issue of passports to their nationals. However, the amount to be charged by a foreign embassy in this regard is not a matter for my Department, or for the Government, to determine.

All applicants for permission to remain in the State on the basis of parentage of an Irish born child under the new arrangements announced last month are required to provide adequate proof of their identity by way of a passport or national identity card. Establishing the true identity of an applicant under the revised arrangements is a basic obligation, both on the State and the applicant. In this context, the requirement that an applicant produces an identity document from his or her country of origin cannot be waived.