Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

188. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the criteria necessary for an organisation (details supplied) to be ratified as the body for official translations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29684/25]

Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

189. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on a matter concerning the Passport Service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29685/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 188 and 189 together.

All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended (“the Act“). The Act provides a legal basis for the various policies and procedures that are applied by the Passport Service in the issuing of passports.

The Passport Service takes its responsibility to protect the integrity of the Irish passport very seriously. Due to the strength of the security features within the passport book and the robust processes involved in its issuance, the Irish passport has a strong international reputation. Recently, the Irish passport was ranked third in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 189 countries. Accordingly, a rigorous analysis process is in place to verify the identity and citizenship status of first time applicants.

First time passport applicants are required to submit documentation to validate their identity and entitlement to Irish citizenship. If any of these documents are not in English or Irish, applicants are required to submit a certified translation completed by a translation service provider registered with the Irish Translators and Interpreters Association (ITIA).

In cases where the language is not listed on the ITIA, a certified translation from a verifiable translation company will be accepted.

Applicants who may have queries related to supporting documents or translations can contact the Customer Service Hub at +353 1 671 1633, or via the WebChat service: www.ireland.ie/contactpassportservice/. Agents are available services from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.