Written answers

Tuesday, 10 March 2009

Department of Defence

Passport Applications

9:00 pm

Photo of Brian O'SheaBrian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 83: To ask the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); the procedures the Defence Forces have to deal with such cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9780/09]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Yes, I am aware of the case referred to by the Deputy, which was brought to the attention of my Department in 2003. I understand from my colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, that a passport application was received by the Passport Office in respect of the person in question on 25 November 2006.

However, the documents provided by the applicant's mother as evidence of entitlement to citizenship which purported to establish the identity of the applicant's father as a former member of the Permanent Defence Force now deceased, were insufficient to confirm that the individual named by the applicant's mother is the father of the applicant. The matter has been the subject of correspondence between the applicant's mother and the Department of Foreign Affairs. My colleague, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, dealt comprehensively with this case in reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 145 and 146 on 5 March 2009.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has at all times sought to be of assistance to the applicant and her mother, within the constraints of its legal obligations, and will gladly issue a passport to the applicant if citizenship can be established.

All personnel prior to deployment on operational duty overseas are instructed and undergo training in the Code of Conduct for Military Personnel when on overseas service. Any breach of conduct is vigorously investigated by the Defence Forces and disciplinary action may follow.

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