Gerry Adams
Question:165. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the consideration he is giving to the need for a new and dedicated passport service located in Northern Ireland. [24492/18]
View answerTuesday, 12 June 2018
Questions (165)
Written answers
The Passport Service offers a range of convenient channels for submission of passport applications by Irish citizens and I am satisfied that the options available meet the current needs of passport applicants without the need for the establishment of a further passport office.
An online passport application service was launched in March 2017 and offers the convenience of an online application system 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for Irish citizens anywhere in the world, without the need for application forms, printed photos or witnesses. At present, the online passport application service accommodates adult passport renewal applications and passport card applications. It is planned to extend the online application facility to other categories of renewal by the end of 2018.
People who cannot or do not wish to apply online have the option of applying through their local post office. The vast majority of applications received by the Passport Service from applicants residing in the island of Ireland are submitted through Passport Express and Northern Ireland Passport Express. Northern Ireland Passport Express allows applicants living in Northern Ireland to apply for their passport through more than 70 post offices.
Bearing in mind the availability of both the online and postal application channels, very few citizens living in the island of Ireland are required to travel a significant distance in order to apply for their passport. In the relatively small number of cases where citizens need to travel very urgently and do not have a valid passport, the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork offer an appointment service.
Advice and guidance on the above channels and other useful information on passports is available on the Department’s website at www.dfa.ie/passport.