David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 316: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of Irish passport holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9048/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The passport office estimates that there are approximately 4.3 million Irish passport holders worldwide.

Demand has risen from 388,000 in 2000 to 630,000 in 2005. Demand levelled off with approximately 600,000 passports being issued in 2006 and 2007 and fell slightly in 2008 to 580,000 passports. 2009 passport demand has been very similar to that in 2008, where 579,508 passports were issued.