Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 183: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs further to the publication of the Travers report, if his Department has carried out a review of the legal basis for all charges and fees levied by his Department and agencies under the aegis of his Department; the outcome of any such review; if any charges have been identified which do not have an adequate legal basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16006/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Diplomatic and Consular Fees (Amendment) Regulations, 2004, SI 82 of 2004, lists the passport and consular fees charged by the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ireland and at our diplomatic and consular missions abroad. These fees include charges for passports, visas, work and working holiday authorisations, letters of freedom for Irish citizens wishing to marry abroad as well as for oaths, affidavits and the performance of notarial acts at our missions. The Department also charges fees in connection with applications for Irish citizenship by foreign births registration. The fees for this service are set by foreign birth regulations, SI 341 of 1988, provided for in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts 1956 to 2004.

My Department recently carried out a review of the legal basis for the charges and fees it levies. I am satisfied that there is an adequate legal basis for these fees. The charges collected under the Freedom of Information Acts 1997 and 2003 are based upon fees prescribed by the Minister for Finance.