Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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135. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the complex passport application (details supplied); the actions he will take to ensure that this issue is resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36127/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008 (“the 2008 Act”), which provides a legal basis for the various policies and practices that are applied by the Passport Service in the issuing of passports.

Under Section 14 of the 2008 Act, the Passport Service requires the consent of guardians before issuing a passport for a child under 18 years of age. Section 14 of the 2008 Act also sets out a number of exceptions in relation to consent. Section 14 provides that a passport may be issued to a child without the consent of a guardian of the child, if a court in the State makes an order directing that a passport may be issued to the child without the consent of that guardian.

It is important to reiterate that each application involving complex matters relating to guardianship and dispensing with the consent of a child's guardians, is dealt with on a case-by-case basis and considerable engagement is necessary between the applicant and the Passport Service to ensure all necessary requirements are met. Such applications are dealt with by experienced staff trained in this area to ensure that they are processed correctly.

It is imperative that the Passport Service strictly adheres to the direction of the Court, by ensuring the consent of guardians, as appointed by the Court, is obtained before a passport can issue. Each passport application is assessed and evaluated on its own merits to ensure the provisions of the 2008 Act have been met.

Further guidance in relation to guardian consent can be found on my Department's website here - www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/passports/how-to-apply-for-a-passport/first-child-passport/#Guardian%20consent%20for%20children's%20passport%20applications.