Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

54.To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of Irish passports notified to his Department as stolen and lost in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [25102/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The integrity of the Irish passport is the foremost priority of the Passport Service. 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 2nd in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 193 countries.

The loss or theft of passports and passport cards is taken very seriously by the Passport Service as it compromises the safety and security of citizen's personal data and can result in fraudulent activity.

The Passport Service ensures that passports reported as lost or stolen are cancelled and notified to Interpol at the earliest opportunity. Once the passport is cancelled and notified to Interpol, it is no longer valid for travel.

The numbers of passports reported as lost or stolen to the Passport Service in 2023 and to date in 2024 are detailed below in tabular form.

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

55.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. [25115/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, this is a paper application which was received on 9^thMay 2024. The turnaround time for paper applications is 8 weeks. This application is within the turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue-by date.

I strongly encourage the Deputy to advise his constituents of the advantages of using the substantially more efficient Passport Online service, which is now used by more than 90% of applicants worldwide.