Written answers

Thursday, 16 December 2021

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Passport Services

Photo of Catherine MurphyCatherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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356. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of official and diplomatic Irish passport applications made and passports issued since 1 January 2017 to date in 2021; and if he will provide a schedule of the annual cost related to same. [62585/21]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Diplomatic and official passports are issued in accordance with the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008. Section 16 of the Act makes particular provision for the issuance of diplomatic passports to persons who hold a diplomatic rank or to persons whom the Minister for Foreign Affairs considers it appropriate to issue such a passport in order to carry out their duties. Official passports may to issued to an Irish citizen for the purpose of facilitating travel abroad in connection with the performance of official duties on behalf of the State. Applications are only approved for individuals who are Irish citizens and can demonstrate that they require a passport for travel to undertake official business on behalf of the State.

Diplomatic and official passports are issued free of charge on the grounds that the holder is engaged on official State business.  Their use is restricted to travel on official business. Personal passports must be used for all other travel.

Tables below shows figures for Passports applied for and issued from 2017 to 30 November 2021.

Passports Applied for and Issued Diplomatic Official TOTAL
2017 487 1624 2111
2018 584 1513 2097
2019 619 1318 1937
2020 417 1055 1472
01/01/2021 - 30/11/2021 557 1159 1716

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