Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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580. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention has been drawn to the delays in processing passport applications due to ongoing issues with confirming Garda witnessing (details supplied); her plans for a central logging system for the witnessing process of passport applications; her plans to raise this matter with the Minister for Foreign Affairs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24132/22]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be appreciate, the Department of Foreign Affairs has responsibility for the Passport Service, including the processing of passport applications. As Minister for Justice, I have no role in relation to this matter, nor do I have any role in operational or administrative matters which fall within the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner.

I am advised, however, that An Garda Síochána implements a passport application recording mechanism at each Garda Station in which the details of passport applicants, and in the case of juveniles, their parents / guardians, are noted in the Stations’ Passport Record Book for the purpose of verifying the details of applicants when required by the Passport Office. I am further advised that An Garda Síochána has a dedicated Garda Passport Integrity Office, which is operationally responsible for liaising with the Passport Office in respect of dealing with issues arising from applications concerning certification, verification and/or passport integrity.