Written answers

Tuesday, 3 July 2012

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Passport Applications

9:00 pm

Photo of Ciarán LynchCiarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 171: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the protocols for the issuance of emergency passports to minors out of hours have changed recently and, if so, the reason for the change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31731/12]

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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My Department provides a Duty Officer Service outside normal office hours to deal with matters requiring immediate attention, including the issue of passports in situations of genuine urgency or emergencies. The nature of this service is currently under review in the context of budgetary pressures and the review of allowances being conducted by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

There have been some necessary changes over the past twelve months to the rules covering the issuing of passports out of hours. Stricter measures have been put in place to combat passport fraud and to prevent children being taken from the State without authorisation.

If parental authorisation is secured, an emergency passport may be issued to a minor out of hours where the Duty Officer is satisfied that the proposed journey is related to the death or serious injury or illness abroad of a close relative or a medical emergency relating to the applicant themselves.

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