Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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8. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the events in Paris, if measures are being considered by his Department to restrict the rights of Irish citizens or residents, in particular the holding of passports, visas and freedom to travel; and if he will report on consultations with other governments on these matters. [2662/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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UN Resolution 2178 provides that all States shall take steps to prevent the movement of terrorists or terrorist groups. These steps include the introduction of controls on the issuance of travel documents and measures to prevent counterfeiting, forgery or fraudulent use of such documents.

The Passports Act 2008 Section 12 provides a statutory basis for refusal to issue and for cancellation of a passport in defined circumstances. These include where a person would be likely to engage in conduct that might prejudice national security or the security of another state; where such conduct might endanger public safety or where it might endanger the person or others. According to the act this decision could be made after consultation, where appropriate, with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform or the Minister for Defence or both.