Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2015
102. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider engaging with Irish airlines to ensure persons are encouraged to check the expiry date of their passport as part of their online booking of a flight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28222/15]
View answerIn the peak season approximately 250 people are seen daily at our public counters in Dublin and Cork as they require passports in less than 10 day turnaround. Of these over 30 people avail of the one day turnaround.
A passport reminder service is available on the Passport Service website. This reminder service sends an e-mail, to those who have registered, three months before a passport is due to expire. Registration is simple and merely requires those interested to record their name, e-mail address and the expiry date of the passport. It is possible to register a number of different passports (e.g. all members of a family) using the one e-mail address with the reminder e-mail detailing which passport registered is about to expire. The reminder e-mail also provides details of how to renew the passport, where to obtain passport application forms, etc.
However, my Department faces a continual challenge in respect of people who only check the location and validity of their passport days or even hours before travel. I thank the Deputy for his constructive suggestion in order to address this.
My officials will raise this matter with Irish airlines at the next meeting of the National Facilitation Committee which comprises key stakeholders in the aviation sector.
I would encourage Deputies to use opportunities in their regular communications with constituents to remind them to check where their passport is, where their child's passport is and are all passports in date.
