Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will support a matter (details supplied) in Dublin 9. [37518/12]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding a passport refusal in respect of a person (details supplied) ion Dublin 9. [37731/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 170 together.

The Passports Act 2008 (the Act) requires that before issuing a passport to a child each person who is a guardian of the child consents to the issue of a passport to the child. The Passport Service has been in discussion with the mother of this child regarding issues associated with the consent of the father. These discussions have focussed on evidence as to whether the named father on the child’s birth certificate is a guardian under Irish law. If the father is, in fact, a legal guardian then the Act requires that his consent be obtained. If his consent is not forthcoming, the mother has the option to seek a court order disposing of his consent for the issue of a passport.

It should be noted that in the interests of the applicant the Passport Service issued a temporary passport of seven months validity to allow the child to travel for a pressing pre-arranged trip overseas. This will ensure that the child can travel while his mother resolves the outstanding guardianship question, which needs to be clarified under Irish law, before his application can be finalised.