Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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39. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of the current emergency passport duty officer service that is in place; and his plans to improve or increase the service provision in 2014. [6004/14]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Emergency passports permitting travel abroad are issued only in circumstances where the Passport Service is satisfied, on the basis of the application and supporting evidence, 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 him/herself; and the presence of the applicant at the foreign location in connection with such an unexpected event is necessary or highly desirable; and the need to travel has arisen at short notice. In such situations of genuine and unforeseen urgency an applicant will be seen immediately upon presentation at either the passport office in Dublin and Cork. No appointment is required. Additionally, my Department provides a Duty Officer Service outside normal office hours to deal with matters requiring immediate attention, including the issue of passports in such circumstances. I have no plans to alter this valuable service in the medium term.