Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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73. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a structure will be created by which constituents of a Deputy can give written authority to the Passport Office for a Deputy or their representative to speak on behalf of the constituent (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11309/19]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In order to ensure resources are used effectively many of my Department’s functions, including communication channels, are centralised. Accordingly, my office is the dedicated point of contact for public representatives. This ensures consistency, efficiency and fairness in response to the queries of all public representatives. Any passport related queries raised through this channel are dealt with without delay. 

Representations made by public representatives on behalf of passport applicants, and any information or personal data belonging to the applicant contained therein, are treated in a confidential manner. Written permission from the applicant authorising the public representative to make a representation on the applicant’s behalf is not required.