Vol. 542 No. 2
180 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is concerned that Irish passports have been issued or have fallen into the hands of people not entitled to them; if Irish passports have been issued without authority by certain employees in embassies abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21995/01]
Irish passports are issued only to persons who are Irish citizens by virtue of the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts, 1956, 1986 and 2001. Strict procedures are laid down in my Department for the issue of passports and these are rigorously followed by all issuing offices. All passport applications within the State must be certified by a member of the Garda Síochána. Internal procedures within the Passport Office ensure that applications go through a detailed checking procedure before issue. Applications made abroad are verified by embassy or consulate staff and in any cases of doubt are referred to the Passport Office in Dublin.
The Passport Office maintains regular contact with the Garda Síochána in relation to passport issuing procedures and, on occasions, refers suspicious cases to them for investigation. Overall, however, it has been found that the incidence of attempted fraud is very low. I am not aware of any recent instances of passports being issued by employees at embassies abroad without proper authority. If the Deputy has information of alleged passport fraud, I would invite him to provide it to me and I will have it investigated without delay.
Question No. 181 answered with Question No. 119.
