Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North-West, Fianna Fail)
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10. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a passport will issue for a person (details supplied). [14551/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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With regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the application is within the current turnaround time and has not yet reached the issue by date.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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11. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if changes will be made to the processing of passport applications where there is a requirement for the Passport Office to contact a Garda station to verify documentation submitted as part of the application; if he is aware that in many instances officials are calling Garda stations and getting no reply as many stations are not open on a regular basis or taking phone calls and this is delaying the processing of applications and at times causing delays for applicants in having their applications processed in a timely manner; if he will accept that this system is not adequate to ensure a proper service for the public; when the system will be amended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14556/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Passport Service has issued over a quarter of a million passports to date this year. The Passport Service is currently experiencing a high level of demand for passports, as citizens prepare for upcoming summer travel. Thanks to my Department’s operational and staffing plans, the Passport Service is successfully responding to the current level of demand.

The Irish Passport has a strong international reputation and currently ranks third in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 189 countries. As such, the Passport Service takes seriously its responsibility to protect the integrity of the Irish passport.

Since the introduction of Passport Online in 2017, adults renewing their passports through Passport Online are not required to submit a witnessed identity form. Online child renewal applications can be witnessed by members of a wide range of professions including school teachers, doctors, elected representatives and Gardaí.

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

- All Post Passport applications;

- First time adult online applications;

- First time child online applications.

The witnessing of these forms is an important 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 a first time application for a minor, the witnessing of this form provides evidence that guardians have given their consent for a passport to be issued to the child. To protect 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 the responsibility of the witnessing Garda to ensure that the signature is correctly recorded in the Garda station logbook so that, when the Passport Service calls at a later date, the signature can be verified.

For each application that requires a Garda witness, the Passport Service calls the relevant Garda station to confirm that the Garda recorded the form in the station logbook. There is no requirement for the Passport Service to speak to the witnessing Garda directly. Passport Service staff will call the Garda station up to three times to verify the Garda's signature. Passport applications are checked by experienced entitlement officers who endeavour to maintain up-to-date records of the opening hours of Garda stations.

Where the Passport Service cannot reach the Garda station after three attempts, there is a system in place whereby the relevant Superintendent’s Office can be contacted to verify the details. If the Passport Service is unable to verify the witness after these steps have been taken, a new witnessed form will be requested from the applicant.

The Passport Service is continuously looking at ways to make the application process easier for applicants, including the enhancement of digital services. My Department would welcome the digitisation of the records maintained by An Garda Síochána when witnessing applications.

The policy on the use of witnesses is currently under review, as part of a general update of Passport Service policies, which will further enhance the service for customers.

The Passport Service maintains a close working relationship with An Garda Síochána and offers guidance of the Gardaí on the correct completion of the required identity and consent forms. My Department will continue this engagement to discuss how we can work together to improve the service for citizens.

I encourage the Deputy to urge anyone travelling overseas this year, particularly families with young children, to check the validity of their passports before booking travel and to apply online for their passports in plenty of time. Online passport renewal applications do not require a Garda signature for adults or children. Passport Online is the best option for all of our citizens as it is the quickest, most convenient and cost effective way to apply for a passport.