Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 22: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of fraudulent passport applications made in 2007; the action taken in relation to the applicants who made the fraudulent applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16625/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Department detected 127 cases of suspected fraudulent passport applications in 2007. Details of these applications have been recorded on the passport database to ensure that any subsequent application made using these details is identified automatically.

The Department liaises closely with An Garda Síochána in relation to suspected cases of passport fraud. The Passports Act 2008 introduces a wide range of offences relating to fraudulent applications and the misuse or abuse of passports, whether committed in Ireland or overseas. The maximum penalties for such offences range between five and ten years imprisonment and a heavy fine. This will greatly strengthen efforts to combat fraudulent applications.

Substantial investment in the passport system in recent years means that the Irish passport is now one of the most secure passport documents in the world.

The Department continually reviews its procedures to combat passport fraud and to protect the integrity of the Irish passport internationally.

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 23: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will set a date for the transfer to e-passports for existing passport holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16879/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is the international body responsible for the specification of standards for international travel documents. ICAO policy requires that all passports in circulation in April 2010 will be machine readable. Ireland commenced issuing machine readable passports in 1993. ICAO has defined the technical specification for the issue of e-passports but has not yet set the date by which all passports in circulation must be e-passports.

The United States required that countries, participating in its visa waiver program, commence issuing e-passports by 26 October 2006. Ireland began issuing e-passports on 16 October, 2006 in accordance with the ICAO standards and in advance of the US requirement date.

Irish passports issued prior to 16 October, 2006 remain valid. Over time, as these passports expire, they will all be replaced by e-passports.