Written answers

Tuesday, 17 May 2022

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Passport Services

Photo of Michael Healy-RaeMichael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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340. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the passport office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24121/22]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I and officials from my Department have welcomed opportunities to update Members on the Passport Service on several occasions since the beginning of the year. The Passport Service would be happy to arrange a further briefing for Oireachtas members on the current situation in the coming weeks.

On 2 February, I spoke at a Seanad Private Members Business Motion on the Passport Service.

On 10 March, I appeared before the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence to present the Estimates for Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs) and provided an in-depth briefing on the Passport Service.

On 22 March, my Department responded to a Topical Issue on the Passport Service.

On 6 April, officials from my Department appeared before the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence for an informal briefing on the Passport Service.

In addition to this, in three Oral Parliamentary Questions sessions this year to date, I have addressed Deputies' concerns about the Passport Service. My Department has responded to a total of 718 PQs on the Passport Service this year, with 200 answered so far in May.

Photo of Paul McAuliffePaul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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341. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a passport will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [24122/22]

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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350. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will ensure that the passport application by a person (details supplied) will be processed as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24196/22]

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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362. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo on time for a school trip in view of the fact that this application was received by the Passport Office on the 26 January 2022. [24416/22]

Photo of Louise O'ReillyLouise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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365. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the passport card for person (details supplied) can be processed within timeframe. [24439/22]

Photo of Paul McAuliffePaul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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368. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the passport for a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [24455/22]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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369. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress that has been made to date in the determination of a passport application in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24461/22]

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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377. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport will issue on time for travel for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that this application was received by the Passport Office on 7 March 2022. [24627/22]

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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379. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when supporting documentation submitted for a passport application in respect of an adult (details supplied) will be processed; and when the passport will be dispatched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24635/22]

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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380. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will ensure that the passport applications of persons (details supplied) will be processed urgently by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24637/22]

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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384. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a child (details supplied) passport will issue in time for rescheduled travel date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24706/22]

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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402. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if passports will issue to two siblings (details supplied) in County Mayo on time for their travel plans. [24749/22]

Photo of James LawlessJames Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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403. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport application for a child (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24758/22]

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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405. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be processed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24791/22]

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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406. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport will issue for a child (details supplied) in County Donegal following the submission of a supporting document; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24795/22]

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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407. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport will be dispatched in time for a student (details supplied) to travel on their school tour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24825/22]

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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418. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport for a minor (details supplied) received by the Passport Office on 29 January 2022 will be dispatched in time for their travel plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24860/22]

Photo of Michael McNamaraMichael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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419. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a passport will issue for a person (details supplied) in County Clare, given that the passport was due to issue on 11 May 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24883/22]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 341, 350, 362, 365, 368, 369, 377, 379, 380, 384, 402, 403, 405 to 407, inclusive, 418 and 419 together.

With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputies have enquired, the Passport Service has provided an update on the status of the passport applications to the applicants.

Photo of Gerald NashGerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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342. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the delays in processing passport applications due to ongoing issues with confirming Garda witnessing (details supplied); his views on whether a central logging system is urgently needed to expedite the witnessing process, including by An Garda Síochána of passport applications; his plans to raise this matter with the Minister for Justice. [24133/22]

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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351. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a circular or note can be sent to all Garda stations to remind same of the importance of completing passport application forms correctly to avoid errors and undue delays being experienced by applicants (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24216/22]

Photo of Aindrias MoynihanAindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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352. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the process for the verification of guardians form for passport applications which are signed in the Garda station; the reason the need to contact the gardaí when they have already signed and stamped the form; the difficulties that arise in verifying the form; the measures being introduced to improve the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24231/22]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 342, 351 and 352 together.

There are certain passport applications for applicants resident in Ireland that require forms to be witnessed by a member of An Garda Síochána. These applications include:

- All Passport Express applications - Section 9 Certificate of Identity

- First time adult online applications - Identity Verification Form

- First time child online applications - Child Passport Identity and Consent Form (Guardian A)

The witnessing of these forms is a vital element of the identity verification process for the Passport Service, as it provides initial assurance that the person in the photograph is the same person presenting to submit the passport application form.

In the case of an application for a minor the witnessing of this form provides evidence that guardians give consent for a passport to be issued to the child. In order to protect the integrity of the Irish passport and also the rights of parents or guardians and children, it is important that forms are correctly completed and verified by the Passport Service by calling the Garda station to confirm the Garda's signature.

It is stated in a note to the witness on the identity and consent forms that they may be contacted to confirm the validity of their signature. It is the responsibility of the witnessing Garda to ensure that the signature is correctly recorded in the logbook, so that when the Passport Service calls at a later date the signature can be verified.

There are a small number of cases where the Passport Service has difficulty contacting a Garda station in order to verify the Garda's signature. While the Passport Service makes every effort to contact the Garda station in these cases, unfortunately the passport application may be delayed. In some cases, the applicant may be requested to submit a new witnessed form where the Passport Service has been unable to contact the Garda station. The Passport Service will only request a new witness form after multiple attempts have been made to contact the Garda station.

A new document management system that was put in place at the beginning of March is ensuring that these applications which require further documents are being turned around within 15 working days of receipt of the additional documents.

It is not the experience of the Passport Service that failure to contact Garda stations to verify witnesses is a widespread issue.

The Passport Service is continuously looking at ways to make the application process easier for applicants and advises during the online application process to make sure that the identity and consent form is correctly witnessed once they have completed the online process.

The Passport Service provides instructions on how to correctly complete these forms on the Department's website (www.dfa.ie/passports/how-to-get-your-application-witnessed/) and is also working on public education materials, including video tutorials, with a view to assisting applicants to complete their application correctly.

In addition to this, the Passport Service maintains a close working relationship with An Garda Síochána and regularly offers training and guidance to Gardaí on the correct completion of the required identity and consent forms.

The Passport Service published a full-page informational advertisement in the April and May editions of An Garda Síochána’s magazine, the Garda Review, to assist Gardaí with the process of witnessing passport identity and consent forms. This advertisement includes the information that Passport Service will ring the Garda station to verify all first time passport applicants’ consent form details.

The Passport Service takes its responsibility to protect the integrity of the Irish passport very seriously. The Irish passport has a strong international reputation due to the strength of the security features within the passport book and the robust processes involved in its issuance. The Irish passport was recently ranked 5th in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 187 countries.

There are no plans at present to amend the process for the witnessing of identity and consent forms by An Garda Síochána.

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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343. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there have been instances of overcharging for passports in 2022; if the error giving rise to this has been corrected; and if refunds are being arranged for those affected. [24135/22]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Passport Service is currently receiving thousands of applications daily and is not aware of any issue with applicants being overcharged. On rare occasions, an application may encounter an error while information is being transferred from the external website to our internal systems. The Passport Service has a process in place to identify these applications within 24 hours of the applications being made and a refund is usually issued within 3 working days. The Passport Service encourages applicants who experience this technical error to re-apply for their passport with a new application, in the knowledge that a refund will issue in due course for the first application.

They can also contact the Passport Service Customer Service team via phone on 01.671.1633 or webchat on my Department’s website (www.dfa.ie/passports/contact/).

The Passport Service will contact the applicant referenced to confirm that a refund has issued. The Passport Service regrets any inconvenience caused to applicants who have encountered this error.

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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344. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason for specific advice (details supplied) being given to passport applicants or guardians and parents in the case of an application for a minor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24141/22]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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In October 2021, the Passport Service established a temporary phone line to respond to Oireachtas Members' queries on urgent passport cases.

In each case raised by an Oireachtas Member, the Passport Service reviews the application in question. However, applications can only be expedited in cases of genuine emergency such as a need for urgent medical treatment overseas or the death of a family member abroad. Such applications are expedited through the Travel Emergency service.

In cases where the estimated issue-by date has passed and all required supporting documents have been submitted, the Passport Service will prioritise the application to ensure that no further delay is experienced.

When a query is raised by an Oireachtas Member about an application, a comment to this effect is saved on the applicant's file on the Passport's internal system.

When a passport applicant contacts the Customer Service Hub, the customer representative can access their file and provide a status update on their application. While accessing the file they may see that an Oireachtas member has contacted the Passport Service about the application. It is not Passport Service policy that applicants in these cases should be directed back to the Oireachtas Member for a status update. The Passport Service Customer Service team has reminded all customer service representatives that they should provide applicants with a status update on their application regardless of whether a query has been raised by a Member of the Oireachtas.

Passport applicants can also track the status of their passport application online via the Passport Tracker which is available on my Department's website - www.dfa.ie/passporttracking/.

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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345. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress that has been made to date in processing a passport application in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24153/22]

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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347. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a passport will issue for a minor (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24168/22]

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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348. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport will issue for a child (details supplied) in time for planned travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24185/22]

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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349. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will ensure that the passport application by a person (details supplied) will be processed as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24192/22]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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357. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress to date in the determination of a passport in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24352/22]

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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359. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport will issue on time for a baby (details supplied). [24376/22]

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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361. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a passport will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that this application was received in the Passport Office on 6 January 2022 and this person has imminent travel plans. [24408/22]

Photo of James LawlessJames Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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363. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24433/22]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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366. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a passport is likely to issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24446/22]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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367. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress that has been made to date in the determination of a passport application in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24454/22]

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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378. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport will issue to a student (details supplied) in County Mayo who urgently requires it in view of the fact that this application was submitted to the Passport Office on 7 February 2022. [24631/22]

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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383. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if passports will issue on time for child applicants (details supplied) travelling on 14 May 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24705/22]

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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385. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a child (details supplied) passport application will process in time for travel date 20 May 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24707/22]

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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386. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport will issue for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo on time for their travel arrangements to an important family event. [24710/22]

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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390. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24726/22]

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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392. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and the families date of travel is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24728/22]

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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393. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and the families date of travel is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24729/22]

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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394. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date and the families date of travel is imminent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24730/22]

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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395. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24731/22]

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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397. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24733/22]

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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398. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24734/22]

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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399. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24735/22]

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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400. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) given that it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24736/22]

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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408. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24828/22]

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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409. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) as it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24829/22]

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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410. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) as it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24830/22]

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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411. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) as it has exceeded the target issue date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24831/22]

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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412. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) as the persons travel date is approaching; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24832/22]

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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415. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a passport for an adult (details supplied) with a change of surname will be dispatched considering that it was received by the Passport Office on 9 February 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24843/22]

Photo of Paul McAuliffePaul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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416. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when passports will be issued to persons (details supplied) who submitted applications in January 2022 and who expected a date of issue on 22 April. [24851/22]

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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417. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if passports will issue for children (details supplied) travelling on 18 May 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24853/22]

Photo of James LawlessJames Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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420. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will examine a passport application for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24886/22]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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422. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress made in determining an application for a passport in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24919/22]

Photo of Steven MatthewsSteven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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424. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24930/22]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 345, 347 to 349, inclusive, 357, 359, 361, 363, 366, 367, 378, 383, 385, 386, 390, 392 to 395, inclusive, 397 to 400, inclusive, 408 to 412, inclusive, 415 to 417, inclusive, 420, 422 and 424 together.

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

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