Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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179. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will make changes to the passport application system so that apostrophes in surnames along with fadas for Irish names can be recognised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51010/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Passport Service accepts both apostrophes and fadas for inclusion on citizens' passports.

The Passport Service is aware that some applicants have experienced difficulty entering an apostrophe on the Passport Online application form.

Following an investigation, it appears that this is a limited issue occuring when using an iOS device where the 'smart punctuation' feature is enabled.

The Passport Service is working with external partners to resolve this issue but in the meantime, applicants who encounter this issue can make a Passport Online application on a PC, laptop or android device, or alternatively disable the 'smart punctuation' feature on their iOS device to allow them to fill out the form correctly.

The Passport Service is not aware of any issues with entering a síneadh fada on the Passport Online application form.

Customers encountering ongoing issues should call our Customer Service Hub at +353 1 671 1633. Line are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 4:30pm.