Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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198. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will address concerns regarding a passport application appeal, raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63794/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act 2008, as amended (“the 2008 Act“). Section 7(1)(a) of that Act provides that a person must be an Irish citizen in order for the Minister for Foreign Affairs (“the Minister”) to issue a passport to that person. Accordingly, every applicant for a passport must submit evidence to the satisfaction of the Minister, among other things, that that person is an Irish citizen and as such is entitled to a passport. The entitlement of a person to citizenship is governed by the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended (“the 1956 Act”).

Section 12(1)(a) of the 2008 Act states that the Minister shall refuse to issue a passport to a person if the Minister is not satisfied that the person is an Irish citizen.

Section 19 of the 2008 Act, provides for a Passport Appeals Officer, to whom a person not satisfied with the decision of the Passport Service in relation to their application may apply and sets out the conditions governing this appeal process.

With regards to the specific matter referred to by the Deputy, I understand the request falls outside the statutory remit of the Passport Appeals Officer as the passport application was withdrawn by the applicant. Furthermore, as outlined in s. 19(1) of the 2008 Act, refusal to issue a passport to a person due to that person not being an Irish citizen is excluded from the remit of the Passport Appeals Officer.

Alternative pathways to citizenship may exist for the individual concerned and further information can be found on the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration's website here - How to become a citizen - Immigration Service Delivery (www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/).