asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of Irish passport applications made and granted in 1982 and 1983 and during January and February of 1984.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Passport Applications.
8.
The information requested by the Deputy is as follows:
|
Applications |
Issues |
|
|
1982 |
151,789 |
151,802 |
|
1983 |
119,881 |
119,800 |
|
January and February 1984 |
14,097 |
13,723 |
The discrepancies in the annual figures arise from the variation between one year and the next of the balance of applications on hand at the end of the year which are not processed until the following year. The difference between applications and issues during January and February 1984 is also due to the non-processing during that period of all applications received in the last days of February.
Is the Minister aware that there appears to have been a falling off in the total number of applications sought as against 1982, 1983 and the possibility for 1984? Could he indicate the reason for that?
There are a number of reasons in that regard. One is the decrease in foreign travel and another is the increase in the price of passports. There are probably other reasons as well. The indications are that it is as a result of the decrease in general economic activity and foreign travel rather than the increase in the price of passports, although that has had some effect.
There are more people taking their holidays in Mayo.
The figures would seem to suggest that there has not been a decrease in world travel and that the number of people taking out-of-State holidays has increased substantially in the last few years. I do not know if I could agree with the Minister there. I do agree with him that the increase in the price of passports as outlined in the Minister's statement has not helped.
A question, please, Deputy.
One cannot engage in foreign travel without a passport.
I understand that.
If the amount of foreign travel has increased, the receipts in respect of passports would also increase.
I agree. However, it would appear that there has been a considerable fall-off. Is the Minister aware of any suggestion that people are seeking travel permits or authorisations to travel from embassies in jurisdictions other than our own?
I have seen allegations to that effect. The facts, however, do not bear them out. The drop in the issue of passports from, say, the London Embassy — which is what the Deputy probably has in mind — is about the same as that here. There does not appear to be any bearing on that. In fact, since I introduced the new regulations in March our passports have become in some instances cheaper than British passports and are still not lifting up to the previous levels.
I am pleased that the Minister believes so. There has been a persistent rumour that Irish citizens are using a foreign embassy for the purpose of getting passports at a much cheaper rate than that of ours. It would be a deplorable state of affairs if Irish citizens were using British passports.
It was in respect of that allegation that we brought in the new regulations this year. There has not been an increase since then.
That has not been borne out?
Could the Minister tell us how many applications were received in 1982 and 1983 from people with addresses in the United Kingdom and how many with addresses in Northern Ireland?
I am certain that information can be got, because there is another question in relation to computerisation later on and I am sure that information is available. I have not got it here but I am sure that the information can be got and I shall give it to the Deputy.