Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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77. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the transfer of the passport service to the Department of Justice and Equality which is currently introducing a number of service enhancements as part of the Government’s integrated reform delivery plan; his views that the transferring of the service to an independent executive agency of the Department of Justice and Equality is the correct way forward for the issuing and security of Irish passports; if he has considered ensuring the issuing of passport remains an important function of either his Department or the Department of Justice and Equality without the need to outsource it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37163/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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There are no plans to transfer the Passport Service to the Department of Justice and Equality at this time. The Passport Service continues to work on a number of service enhancements and I would like to see this process completed before further consideration is given to any transfer. There are security implications in the outsourcing of passport processing. Best international practice, as advised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, recommends that, at a minimum, the entitlement checking process be undertaken by a public service agency. In this context, I do not envisage changes to the Passport Service operating arrangements at present. The Passport Service maintains regular contact with the broad Justice sector, including weekly meetings with An Garda Síochána. This is critical in maintaining the high international regard given to the security of the Irish passport issuance processes. I envisage that the close working relationship, already in place, will only be further enhanced over the coming months.