Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 February 2014
38. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the implementation of policies by his Department to ensure the security and integrity of Irish passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8018/14]
View answerThe worldwide good reputation and integrity of the Irish passport helps ensure the safe travel and wellbeing of Irish citizens, as they travel abroad.
In line with the best practice recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, passport books are redesigned on a periodic basis to protect against forgery. I launched a new Irish Passport Book in October last year. This book has new range of features incorporated into the passport design to significantly enhance the security of the document. Indeed, the range of security features integrated in the book is unique among passports worldwide.
The issue of a passport is the culmination of a legally-binding process. The checks and balances within the passport process help to ensure that the identity of the applicant is known and that the person in question is an Irish citizen. Moreover, it helps to combat passport and identity fraud.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade takes the issue of passport fraud very seriously. The Passport Service continues to balance measures to protect against identity theft on the one hand with maintaining our customer focus. The application and checking processes have therefore been designed to protect our customers. I can confirm that new measures were put in place in the last year to improve our processes. These include changes to staffing structures, enhanced links with other Government Departments and overseas agencies. I can confirm that these new measures were instrumental in the Passport Service identifying the irregularities that led to the recent launch of the joint Passport Service/An Garda Síochána investigation.
