Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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1. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a passport will issue to a person in County Galway (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing said passport given that the application was lodged online 7 June 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40432/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Passport Service has issued over 886,000 passports to date this year. All passport applications are subject to the requirements of the Passports Act 2008, as amended. First-time applications are the most complex applications due to the necessary checks involved to verify the identity and citizenship status of the applicant. The turnaround time to complete first-time online applications is 20 working days.

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 third in the Henley Global Passport Index, as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 193 countries. Accordingly, there is a rigorous checking process in place for first time applications.

With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the application was made online on the 07 June 2024. The Passport Service sent a reminder email to the applicant's guardian on 24 June 2024, requesting the necessary supporting documents. The applicant requested new links on 19 August and 03 September 2024. Supporting documents for this application were received by the Passport Service on 09 September 2024. However, the application was still incomplete and the Passport Service requested further supporting documents on 30 September 2024, which were received by the Passport Service on 02 October 2024. The turnaround time following receipt of additional documents is 15 working days. This application is within the turnaround time and has not yet reached its issue-by date.