Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 95: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason it is difficult for Irish citizens to have their passport details in the Irish language in view of the fact that their PPS number and the birth certificate registration number would prevent any duplication in the English language. [18209/11]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 96: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will make it easier for Irish citizens to use the Irish language version of their name on their passport in view of the use of modern technology which would ensure that a check of PPS numbers and the birth certificate registration number would prevent any duplication in the English language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18210/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 96 together.

All Passport applications are processed under the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008. This Act provides, inter alia, that the Department must be satisfied as to the identity of each individual from his/her witnessed application and photographs as well any submitted supporting documents. In the Department's ongoing efforts to combat passport and identity fraud, additional photo identity such as a driver's licence is now required for first-time adult applicants or those persons who have lost or had their passports stolen. This is in addition to the standard requirement of birth certificates.

The Act also makes provision for the name in which a passport is to issue. It is the Department's policy that a person's legal name is that by which he/she is commonly known as through use and repute. For the majority of people, names will be based on the registered details with the General Registrar's Office (GRO) which is evidenced by issued birth certificates. In cases where a name change has occurred as a result of marriage, such details will be recorded by the GRO and evidenced by marriage certificates.

In other situations where a name that is requested to appear on a passport is different, other than by marriage, from details on a birth certificate, the Department seeks documentary evidence under the Passports Act, 2008 of the use of that name over a two year period. As access to PPS numbers and birth certificate registration numbers are not available to international border control authorities, alternative measures must be put in place. In this context, therefore, those applicants, who supply documentary evidence as to the use of the Irish form of their name over two years, receive their passports in that name without difficulty.

It should also be noted that the Department may exercise discretion in regard to the application of the two year proof of usage requirement of a new name. These cases are considered on a case by case basis. However, such considerations must take into account that a passport is primarily an international travel identity document and that name change requests must therefore be balanced with the Department's obligations to uphold the integrity of the Irish passport among the international community and to protect against identity switching and identity fraud. In those cases where the Department accepts that there are exceptional reasons for a name change from English to Irish or the reverse, a passport will be produced in the new name without the two year proof of usage. However, an observation will be printed on page three of the passport stating the person's birth name or if appropriate his/her previous passport name.

It should also be noted that the majority of name change requests received relate to a request for a new English name. I should therefore stress that the procedure in operation must be applied in the same way for all name change requests, including from the English to the Irish form of the name.

I would like to re-assure the Deputy that the Department's policies and practices are intended to ensure that our citizens receive their passport in their known and established identities, thus ensuring their safe and unhindered travel abroad. I believe that these arrangements are fair and maintain an appropriate balance between the need to protect the reputation of the Irish passport and a citizen's wish to have an alternative name appear on their passport.