Written answers

Thursday, 19 December 2013

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Passport Applications

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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73. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare qualifies for an Irish passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55042/13]

Photo of Eamon GilmoreEamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008 (the Act). This broadly provides that a person must be an Irish citizen and that his/her identity is known to the Minister for Foreign Affairs before a passport can issue to that person. Section 6(2)(a) and (b) of the Act provides that: “(2) An application for the issue of a passport to a person shall be –

made in such form as may be specified by the Minister for that type of passport,

accompanied by such information and documents in relation to the person as the Minister may require under section 7, ...”
This legal provision underpins the information contained in the Application Form Notes that accompanies each application form. It is long-standing passport policy for first-time applicants to require documents such original long-form civil birth certificates, photo-identity and proofs in regard to the use of the applicant’s name and address.

The person in question is a first-time applicant and her application at this stage is practically complete save the requirement for photo-identity. On 11 November last, the Department wrote to her requesting this remaining part of her application. In this regard she was asked to provide her original current passport from her home country or in the event that is not available, a certified copy of her driver’s license, work ID, student card, social membership card etc.

Her reply in this matter is awaited by the Department.

The issue of a passport is the culmination of an important and legally-binding process. The series of checks and balances within that process embraces the standard principles, provided for in the Passports Act, of ensuring that the identity of the applicant is known and that the person in question is an Irish citizen. The receipt of all these documents is an important aspect of this system, which helps to maintain the worldwide good reputation and integrity of the Irish passport, which in turn ensures the safe travel and wellbeing of Irish citizens, as they travel abroad.

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