Irish citizens resident in the State who wish to apply for an Irish passport need to complete an APS 1 application form and have this witnessed and certified by a garda, normally at their local Garda station.
Irish citizens resident in Northern Ireland need to complete an APS2 application form and have this witnessed and certified by one of the following: an accountant, bank manager or assistant manager, lawyer, medical doctor, member of the clergy, notary public, commissioner for oaths, school principal or vice-principal, peace commissioner, police officer or member of Garda Síochána; or public representative. This wider range of possible witnesses is provided to facilitate persons resident outside this jurisdiction. I am not aware of difficulties encountered by citizens resident in Northern Ireland in having their passport application forms witnessed. However, if the Deputy can provide me with any such information, I will be happy to have it investigated.