Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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131. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the procedure to be followed by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15 who wishes to make an application for an Irish passport but who never held a passport from their homeland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42033/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Passports Act, 2008 requires that before issuing a passport to a person, the Minister for Foreign Affairs shall be satisfied as to the identity of each applicant and that the person is an Irish citizen. Documentary proof in respect of identity and entitlement to citizenship are required for all passport applications. These requirements are outlined in the passport application form notes that accompany each application form. Details are also available on the Department's website .For first-time adult applicants, there are standard requirements to prevent identity theft of our citizens and to safeguard against passport fraud. These are:

(i) the long form version of their civil birth certificate;

(ii) photographic ID such a copy of a person's driving license, passport from another country;

(iii) documentary evidence to show the use of an applicant's name i.e. payslips, bank statements etc.; and

(iv) evidence of residency at an applicant's address i.e. utility bills, official State correspondence etc.

In terms of citizenship, the evidence of a naturalisation certificate will establish that the person is an Irish citizen. Accordingly, this document is required for any passport application, which is submitted by the person in question. At this stage, it would be important for this person to submit a complete and witnessed application to the nearest Passport Office. The details of her application can then be assessed in terms of its compliance of the Passport Act, 2008. In the event of any difficulties or shortcomings with her application, the Passport Service will provide direct assistance to her to help her finalise her application to passport issue.

In conclusion, it should be noted that the identity and anti-fraud measures, which are currently in place, are geared towards preserving the good reputation of the Irish passport abroad. This, in turn, greatly helps to ensure the safe passage and wellbeing of Irish citizens as they travel worldwide. Accordingly, the Passport Service reserves the right to verify the authenticity any aspect of a submitted application and its supporting documentation with the relevant authorities either in Ireland or abroad.