James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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65. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will examine a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60655/21]

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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68. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason passports have not been finalised for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60775/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 65 and 68 together.

With regard to the applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has issued passports to the applicants.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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66. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason a passport application (details supplied) has not been finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60660/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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First time passport applications are necessarily complex to process, since they are essentially applications for Irish citizenship. The Passport Service must validate the true identity of the applicant and take measures to confirm the applicant’s entitlement to Irish citizenship.

In the case of first time passport applications for children, the consent of guardians must also be thoroughly validated. Verification of consent of all guardians is vital to protecting the integrity of the passport itself and the rights of the child and its guardians.

Passport applications are valid for six months for a number of reasons including International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations on the requirement for a recent photograph. The ICAO is a UN specialised agency which defines in detail the required format for a passport. This timeframe also ensures that a refund of the fees can be processed electronically where required. If the refund is not made electronically within six months then it can take up to 12 months to process a refund by bank transfer.

With regard the specific application about which the Deputy is enquiring, the Passport Service was in contact with the applicant's guardian to request the correct supporting documents required to approve and issue the passport. Unfortunately, these documents were not submitted by the time the passport application had come close to expiration and the application was cancelled. The passport fee has been refunded in this case.

The Passport Service has been in direct contact with the applicant's guardian and has explained what is required to re-apply for their child's passport with the correct documentation and consent form.