Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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141. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when he expects an increase in applications for Irish passports from British citizens as a result of the British intention to leave the European Union; his plans to ensure the Passport Office is adequately resourced for an increase in applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18807/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Since the referendum result there has been a notable increase in queries concerning Irish passports from Northern Ireland, Great Britain and elsewhere. However, it is too early as yet to identify the precise impact of the outcome in terms of the volume of passport applications. Statistics relating to applications are usually compiled on a monthly basis.

I would like to underline that there is no need for concern in terms of freedom of movement or entitlement to an Irish passport. The process of negotiation to enable the United Kingdom to leave the European Union is likely to take two years as envisaged under Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty and once the article is triggered. During this period, the United Kingdom remains a member of the European Union, and its citizens continue to enjoy full rights including freedom of movement within the EU. At the same time, the referendum has not in any way changed the entitlement to an Irish passport including as it extends to those people born on the island of Ireland and those with Irish citizenship through parents or grandparents born in Ireland.

I would urge people who have concerns about freedom of movement within the European Union and those who are interested in applying for an Irish passport for the first time to get the full facts and research their particular situation before contacting the Passport Service. Full information on passport entitlements and procedures is available on the website of the Department at www.dfa.ie.

First-time applicants might also keep in mind that this is peak season and unless a passport is needed for urgent travel reasons the timing of an application should be considered.

My Department will closely monitor the situation with respect to the impact of the referendum outcome on the level of applications for Irish passports. Passport Service staff and other resources will be re-deployed as needed to deal with an increase in applications, if sustained.