Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 101: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when new passport application forms will be issued to take account of the additional requirements for adult first-time applicants and those replacing a lost or stolen passport; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that these requirements were introduced in January and the forms have not been updated, and the inconvenience this causes to applicants whose applications are returned to them. [7603/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Additional requirements were introduced for first time applicants aged 18 or over and for those replacing a lost or stolen passport with effect from 17 January 2011. The aim of the new requirements was to strengthen procedures to best protect against identity theft and fraudulent passport applications. Given the importance of strengthening procedures, it was decided that the new requirements should be introduced without delay. The new requirements were publicised on the Passport Office website www.passport.ie and on the Passport Office telephone information line. Information regarding the new requirements was also issued to An Garda Síochána and to An Post, who operate the Passport Express Service used by over 60% of passport applicants. Public notices were published in national newspapers to inform the public of the new requirements. In terms of printing new application forms and information notes, there would be a significant cost involved in destroying existing forms and printing new forms. Given that those affected by the new requirements represent a relatively low percentage of overall applicants, it was considered disproportionate to recall and destroy all existing stock at that time. Revised information notes and application forms, which include information on the new requirements introduced in January and other passport changes since that time, are currently being developed. The new forms will be available from June 2011.