Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 46: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will launch a basic public information campaign to encourage people to check the time validity of their passports before they book online flights or holiday packages or alternatively to ask airlines to include a passport reference and expiry date on online booking sites in view of the ongoing problems with very late passport applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23521/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I share the Deputy's concern about this issue and again advise that before making any travel plans, citizens should check the validity of their passports and renew, where necessary, in sufficient time for travel. This advice has offered for many years including in the media. In fact as recently as last week most major media outlets reported this as a central statement of mine in their report on the launch of the Euro 2012 survival guide. Unfortunately as the Deputy had indicated a number of citizens do not heed this advice and apply last minute for a new passport. This year the Passport Service has received an average of 218 applications per day for a less than 10 day service plus an average of 42 applications per day for a less than five day service.

Included in these numbers are a small group of individuals who arrive from the airport and expect that a passport can be turned around immediately. Unfortunately, it is not possible to meet these demands or expectations. The fastest turnaround time for standard applications is three working days. The continued international respect for the integrity of the Irish passport depends on the robust nature of the entitlement checking process and the production of a secure travel document with features which make forgery difficult. These requirements mean that it is not possible to provide an on-the-spot service for the numbers involved at the Passport Service public offices.

Whereas there may be some advantage in asking airlines to seek passport number and validity details at the time of booking, it may nonetheless be still too late for some to obtain a passport even at this time. It is also necessary to consider whether this aim could best be achieved by means of an international approach to the capture of passenger information in advance of travel. I have asked the Passport Service to keep the matter under review.