Vol. 557 No. 2
108 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if people applying for Irish passports outside the jurisdiction have to comply with the same procedure that applies to residents in relation to having their identity verified by a member of the Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18481/02]
Persons resident in the State are required to have their passport application certified by a member of the Garda Síochána. Persons resident outside this jurisdiction may have their application certified by one of the following, a member of the clergy, school principal, practising lawyer, magistrate, judge, medical doctor, bank manager, assistant bank manager or police officer. This wider range of possible witnesses is provided for to facilitate persons resident outside this jurisdiction. In the event of any person encountering difficulty with any aspect of a passport application, he/she should contact the passport office in either Dublin or Cork, or if they are resident abroad, their nearest Irish diplomatic or consular mission.
