Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 February 2014
50. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the issue of the authenticity of an identification document submitted with an application for naturalisation and subsequently with an application for a passport has been clarified in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10143/14]
View answerThe Passports Act, 2008 requires that before issuing a passport to a person, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade shall be satisfied as to the identity of each applicant and that the person is an Irish citizen. The issue of a passport is the culmination of an important and legally binding process. The checks and balances within the passport process embrace the standard principles that are provided for in the Act and help to ensure that the identity of the applicant is known and that the person in question is an Irish citizen. This serves to maintain the worldwide good reputation and integrity of the Irish passport, which, in turn, ensures the safe travel and well-being of Irish citizens as they travel abroad. Moreover, it helps to combat passport and identity fraud.
The Department received an application from the person in question on 11 June 2013. Questions have arisen concerning the authenticity of an identity document submitted with the passport application which have been referred to the appropriate authorities. The Department wrote to the applicant on 9 September 2013 to inform him of the situation and to advise him that his application at that time was being refused. If the applicant has further documentary proof in respect of his identity and entitlement to citizenship that he wishes to submit in support of any such application that position will be reviewed.
