Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 312: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if examinations will be made into the existing situation whereby an applicant for a passport wishing to use the Irish version of their name must provide evidence that they have used the Irish version for two years previous on either a bank account or a household bill; and his views on whether this policy complements the stated aim of this Government to encourage the use of the Irish language. [24855/06]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 313: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the anomalous situation whereby a young family from Donegal who wish to start using the Irish version of their names cannot do so, in view of the fact that they can open a bank account or get married using the Irish version of their name; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24856/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 312 and 313 together.

A passport is an identity document issued by the State to facilitate foreign travel. It is issued in the official name of the holder of the passport which is usually the name in which the person's birth was registered or in their married name when so requested. The long form of the birth certificate and, as the case may be, the marriage certificate are required as supporting documents.

If a person seeks a passport in a form of his/her name other than that supported by his/her birth/marriage certificate, the Passport Office will require proof of usage of the form of name over a period of two years. This is sought in all cases, including when a person seeks a passport in the English form of the name but the birth certificate shows the Irish version, and vice versa.

The requirements of the Passport Office in this respect are set out in the notes which accompany the application form as follows:

Name to appear on the Passport

∙Complete Part A in the name by which you are normally known. Enter forenames 1, 2, 3 and 4 [if applicable] in the order as indicated on the form.

∙If the name by which you are commonly known differs from the version entered on your birth certificate, other than by marriage, you will be required to produce either a deed poll or evidence of usage of the name for at least two years, e.g. tax documents, bank statements, drivers licence, school reports etc. It will be necessary to produce at least two examples of such usage.

Where an applicant does not have the full 2 years proof of usage, the Passport Office can issue a passport, initially valid for 2 years, in the new form of their name, with a record of their birth certificate name entered on the observations page of the passport. After 2 years, the holder may then reapply for a passport solely in the new form of their name upon submitting proof of its usage.

I consider that the procedures set out above are sensible and prudent, and are important in helping ensure the integrity of the passport process.