I do not see any reason to change the passport application procedures, which work well at present. While persons resident in the State are required to have their applications certified by a member of the Garda Síochána, a wider range of possible witnesses is provided for in order to facilitate persons resident outside the jurisdiction.
The number of passports issued has increased very significantly in recent years. However, the rate of increase in the number of passports issued outside the jurisdiction is in fact below the overall rate of increase. There is no evidence of an alarming increase in the number of passport applications from outside the State.
All passport applications are rigorously checked before they are issued. If the Passport Office staff are not satisfied with the evidence of identity provided by the applicant, they seek further information. All cases of suspected fraudulent passport applications are referred to the Garda Síochána for investigation.