Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

162. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason the online passport application website is directing applicants who require translation services to solely use translators registered with a company (details supplied) only; the accreditation that exists for the use of this one company for such services; and the position in cases in which the company has no one to translate certain languages. [66107/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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 fourth in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 187 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 Association of Translators and Interpreters Ireland (ATII), formerly known as the ITIA.

In cases where the language is not listed on the ATII, 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.

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

163. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to expedite a passport application for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66165/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

With regard to the specific application, the passport has been printed and dispatched to the applicant.