Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 March 2017
358. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of passport applications received from Irish citizens and those entitled to Irish citizenship based in South African, United Arab Emirates, Australia and Canada in each of the years 2015 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12016/17]
View answerThe total number of passport applications received from Irish citizens based in the countries specified are as follows:
|
Country |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 (up to 28 February) |
|
South Africa |
3374 |
3396 |
567 |
|
United Arab Emirates |
1365 |
1708 |
373 |
|
Australia |
6518 |
6981 |
1126 |
|
Canada |
3096 |
3497 |
646 |
There were significant increases in applications from citizens based in Australia, Canada and in the United Arab Emirates in particular between 2015 and 2016. This undoubtedly reflects the growing popularity of these countries among Irish citizens as places to live and work. The overall increase in passport applications between the two years was over 9%.
