Written answers

Wednesday, 25 May 2022

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Passport Services

Photo of Thomas GouldThomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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52. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passport applications that were delayed due to the fact that consent forms could not be verified with the relevant Garda station by month since January 2022, in tabular form. [26611/22]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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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 had 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 if contact is not made. 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 possible to provide the numbers requested by the Deputy in relation to passport applications that were delayed due to difficulty verifying consent forms with members of An Garda Síochána, as the Passport Service does not record this information. However, 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 is publishing a full-page informational advertisement in the June edition 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 the Passport Service will ring the Garda station to verify all first time passport applicants’ consent and identity 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.

Photo of James LawlessJames Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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53. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will examine and expedite a passport application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26621/22]

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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55. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a passport will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason for the delay in issuing the passport despite the fact that the application was lodged on 16 February 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26705/22]

Photo of James LawlessJames Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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59. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if an application for a passport for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26729/22]

Photo of James LawlessJames Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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60. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will examine and expedite a passport application for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26744/22]

Photo of Michael FitzmauriceMichael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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64. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a passport will issue for a person (details supplied) who submitted a passport application on the 7 February 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26750/22]

Photo of Michael FitzmauriceMichael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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67. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a passport will issue for a person (details supplied) who submitted an application on 5 April 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26753/22]

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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80. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a passport will issue for a child (details supplied) in County Mayo given that this application was received by the Passport Office on 14 March 2022 and the estimated issue date has passed. [26813/22]

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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85. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when passports will issue to two siblings (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that these applications were received in the Passport Office on 3 February 2022. [26854/22]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 53, 55, 59, 60, 64, 67, 80 and 85 together.

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

Photo of Paul McAuliffePaul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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54. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of a passport application by a person (details supplied) which was due to be issued on 21 April 2022. [26645/22]

Photo of Steven MatthewsSteven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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56. 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. [26709/22]

Photo of Louise O'ReillyLouise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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58. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there is an update in relation to the passports of persons (details supplied); when they can expect it to be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26728/22]

Photo of Michael FitzmauriceMichael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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62. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a passport will issue for a person (details supplied) who submitted an application on 5 April 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26748/22]

Photo of Michael FitzmauriceMichael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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63. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a passport will issue for a person (details supplied) who submitted an application on 10 February 2022 given that the date of issue has been extended through no fault of their own; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26749/22]

Photo of Michael FitzmauriceMichael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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65. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade will issue for a person (details supplied) who submitted a passport application in February 2022 and has been advised that a link was sent to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26751/22]

Photo of Michael FitzmauriceMichael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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66. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a passport will issue for a person (details supplied) who submitted a passport application in February 2022 and has been advised that a link was sent to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26752/22]

Photo of Michael FitzmauriceMichael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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68. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a passport will issue for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26754/22]

Photo of Michael FitzmauriceMichael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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69. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a passport will issue for a person (details supplied) who submitted an application on the 1 February 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26755/22]

Photo of Michael FitzmauriceMichael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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70. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a passport will issue for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26756/22]

Photo of Michael FitzmauriceMichael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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72. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a passport will issue for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26758/22]

Photo of Michael FitzmauriceMichael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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73. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a passport will issue for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26759/22]

Photo of Michael FitzmauriceMichael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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74. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a passport will issue for a person (details supplied); if he will request that this application be expedited in light of the errors made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26760/22]

Photo of Michael FitzmauriceMichael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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75. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a passport will issue for a person (details supplied); if he will request that this application be expedited in light of the errors made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26761/22]

Photo of Pearse DohertyPearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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78. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport application for a child (details supplied) will issue on time for the travel date of 1 June 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26784/22]

Photo of Michael RingMichael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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81. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason that a passport for a minor (details supplied) has not issued given that it was received by the Passport Office on 22 March 2022 and the estimated issue date has passed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26816/22]

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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84. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will ensure that the passport application of a child (details supplied) will be processed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26852/22]

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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86. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will ensure that the passport application of a child (details supplied) will be processed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26860/22]

Photo of Pádraig Mac LochlainnPádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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87. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport for a child (details supplied) will issue in time for their intended travel date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26870/22]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 54, 56, 58, 62, 63, 65, 66, 68, 69, 70, 72, 73, 74, 75, 78, 81, 84, 86 and 87 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 application to the applicant or their guardian. 

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