Written answers

Tuesday, 23 July 2024

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Passport Services

Photo of Eoin Ó BroinEoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

15.To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason a specific document is being requested from an applicant as supporting documentation for a passport (details supplied), given the list of supporting documentation stated on his Department's website for an application of that nature does not include the document as a requirement. [31195/24]

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

All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act 2008, as amended ("the 2008 Act"). The 2008 Act provides, among other things, that a person must be an Irish citizen before a passport can be issued to that person. In order to meet this requirement, each passport applicant must demonstrate an entitlement to Irish citizenship by providing acceptable documentary evidence of this entitlement when making a first time passport application.

Entitlement to Irish citizenship is determined by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended ("the 1956 Act"). A person born on the island of Ireland before 1 January 2005 or born abroad to a parent who was born on the island of Ireland before 2005 is automatically an Irish citizen.

The citizenship of persons born on the island of Ireland on or after 1 January 2005 is determined by the citizenship or residency status of one of their parents at the time of the person’s birth.

The Department's website outlining the documentary requirements for first time adult applicants is a list of documents common to all first time adult applicants. This website is a guide only and additional documents may be required from the applicant to prove their Irish citizenship or identity. Under section 7(2) of the 2008 Act, the Minister may require a passport applicant to provide such information as is required for the purposes of the application and to submit documents necessary to ensure that the Minister is satisfied that the person is an Irish citizen. Further information on citizenship is available on my Department's website. The Passport Service website is currently under review and the section referred to in the Deputy's question will be reviewed to ensure that it is clear for all applicants.

Passport Online applicants receive a bespoke list of supporting documents required for their specific type of application, including documents that relate to their category of citizenship. I would advise the applicant in question to submit the documents requested by the Passport Service so that their passport application can be progressed.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.