Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 48: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport may be issued to a person who is applying for a passport for the first time and has no alternative identification other than the photograph furnished with the application, which was duly authenticated by a relevant member of An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38248/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Passports Act, 2008 provides, inter alia, that the Minister for Foreign Affairs shall be satisfied as to the identity of each applicant for before a passport is issued to him/her. Proofs of identity are required in respect of all passport applications. These requirements, which are outlined both in the passport application form notes that accompany each application form and on the Department's website www.passport.ie, enhance existing procedures to combat passport and identity fraud. They are also intended to increase public awareness of the importance of a passport in terms of a person's identity and the need to ensure that people take great care in protecting their passports.

In January this year, a series of changes to passport application procedures for first time adult applicants and those reporting passports lost or stolen was introduced. The changes, which were introduced to combat passport fraud and identity theft, required that applicants in these categories submit additional documentary evidence to establish identity and entitlement to an Irish passport. Particularly in the light of recent high profile international incidents relating to passport fraud, the measures were introduced to protect the integrity and international reputation of the Irish passport. Among the requirements for first-time applicants or for those persons, whose passports have been lost or stolen, is the need to provide an additional form of photo-identification such as a copy of driver's licence, work ID, student card, social club membership or a passport from another country.

In those exceptional cases where an applicant is unable provide any general photographic ID, the Passport Service will require that the applicant complete and have witnessed a certificate of identity. The certificate includes preprinted details, including the application photograph, and must be witnessed by one from a list of persons, who are acceptable to the Passport Service for this purpose, and who also personally know the applicant. The certificate of identity will be sent to the applicant upon receipt of the original passport application.