Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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281. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on including the names of parents on a child's passport on the observations page or elsewhere (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39208/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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A passport is an internationally recognised travel document which attests to the identity and nationality of the bearer. The Passport Service does not have any plans to expand the purpose of a passport to indicate a parental relationship between a child and his/her parent(s). Parents are encouraged to complete the emergency contact details page at the back of their child’s passport which may assist in this matter.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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282. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if it is possible for an Irish passport holder to have their gender changed on the foreign births register once they have a gender recognition certificate; if this then entitles them to get a passport in their correct gender; if Irish embassies and consulates abroad have processes in place to help passport holders do this if necessary; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some passport holders are having difficulty getting their foreign births registration entry updated in this regard. [39232/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the issues currently facing passport holders seeking to have their gender changed on their Foreign Birth Registration Certificate. The Gender Recognition Act 2015 amended section 27 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 to permit the setting up of a register for the purpose of the registration of gender recognition of foreign births.

The establishment of this register is awaiting finalisation of a Statutory Instrument. Consequently, it is not yet possible for a person with an existing Foreign Birth Registration Certificate to obtain a newForeign Birth Registration Certificate in their newgender. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is making preparations for the register to go live once the Statutory Instrument is in place, which we expect in the coming months. A gender recognition certificate will be required in order to obtain a new Foreign Birth Registration Certificate reflecting a change in gender. However, this does not prevent a person from obtaining a passport in their new gender subject to the requirements of the Passports Act 2008 as amended (the Act). The Act makes provision for the policies and procedures which the Passport Service adopts in relation to the issuance of a passport. Section 11 of the Act provides for the issuing of a passport in a new gender and, if applicable, new name to applicants producing a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) issued by the Minister for Social Protection. With regard to current passport holders, the Passport Service may issue a passport in the new gender and new name on receipt of a completed passport application, current passport and GRC. In such circumstances, a new Foreign Birth Registration Certificate is not required.

My Department will have sole responsibility for the management of the new register for the gender recognition of foreign births. Training for staff, both at home and abroad, on LGBTQI issues is on-going. In June 2016, Consular Division hosted a training session on the language and sensitivities which staff may need to be mindful of when dealing with LGBTQI citizens in the course of their work. Additional training needs on the register will be incorporated into our future training programme for staff in Headquarters and in Missions moving forward.

Any member of the public seeking further information on the register should contact the Deputy Director of Consular Services at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, via the Department’s central switchboard.