Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 April 2014
65. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when a decision will be made on a passport appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that this appeal was submitted in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16247/14]
View answerThe person in question applied to replace a stolen passport in February, 2012. In this application he sought a different name for his passport to the one that was stolen. This application is subject to the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008 (the Act). Section 10 of the Act deals with the issue of name changes for passports. It underpins passport policy whereby a person is required to provide documentary evidence of the use of a name over a two year period, by which s/he is normally known and which differs, other than by marriage, from his/her name on the birth certificate or a previous passport. Such evidence establishes the person's new name as his/her legal name.
The required evidence to show the usage of a new name was not provided with the initial application. Accordingly, the Department wrote to him, initially to request the evidence of the use of the name, and, when this could not be provided, to refuse a passport to him in his new name.
This decision was subsequently appealed under the Act by the applicant to the Passport Appeals Officer. The appeals process is independent to the operation of the Passport Service. However, I understand the matter is being considered by the Passport Appeals Officer (PAO) and the Department has submitted observations to the PAO on this case.
Pending the findings of the independent appeals process there are a two options open to the applicant which could secure his passport:
(i) re-apply for a passport in his new name with supporting evidence showing the usage of his new name; or
(ii) apply for a passport in the name in his previous passport.
