Noel Rock (Dublin North West, Fine Gael)
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112. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when he plans to reinstate the free passport for old age pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17249/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The cost of the standard ten year adult Irish passport compares favourably with many other jurisdictions. At a cost of €80, which breaks down to €8 per year, the Irish passport fee compares with approximately €8.70 per year for a British passport, €8.60 per year for a French passport, €8.9per year for renewal of an American passport and €17.70 per year for an Australian passport. Given that the production cost of a passport is the same, irrespective of validity, and given that any shortfall in revenue or additional costs would have to be met by the taxpayer, I do not have any plans at this time to waive or reduce the application fee charged to older applicants.