Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 187: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform how a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3 will receive a passport from their home country in view of the fact that they have not got a travel document to travel to the UK for passport renewal; if such travel will militate against their application for citizenship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43876/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) informs me that the person in question was refused Refugee Status and is therefore not entitled to be issued with an Irish Travel Document. The person concerned was granted temporary permission on 05 June 2009 to remain in the State for one year until 05 June 2010.

In exceptional cases an application for an Irish temporary travel document may be considered. In all such cases INIS must be satisfied that there is no alternative open to the applicant before an Irish temporary travel document will issue.

An application for an Irish temporary travel document will only be considered by the Immigration Services Section in INIS on receipt of a fully completed application form. Supporting documentation accompanying any such application should include original correspondence from the relevant consular authority outlining the steps necessary to be followed by the person to facilitate the procurement of a national passport if their presence is required outside the State.

I am informed by the Immigration Services Section of INIS that the person concerned was refused an Irish temporary travel document on 17 September 2009 as the application was not accompanied with the requisite supporting documentation. The person concerned was advised to contact his own consular authority to establish the procedures for renewal of an Angolan passport for persons resident in Ireland. He was further advised to ascertain if the Angolan authorities would issue him with an emergency travel document should his presence outside of the State be necessary.

It remains open to the person in question to submit a new application accompanied with the relevant supporting documentation to the Travel Document Unit of INIS which is located at 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2.

I am advised by the Citizenship Division of my Department that they have no record of having received an application for citizenship from the person concerned. Information detailing the requirements for citizenship can be found on the INIS website www.inis.gov.ie.