Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 December 2021
356. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of official and diplomatic Irish passport applications made and passports issued since 1 January 2017 to date in 2021; and if he will provide a schedule of the annual cost related to same. [62585/21]
View answerDiplomatic and official passports are issued in accordance with the provisions of the Passports Act, 2008. Section 16 of the Act makes particular provision for the issuance of diplomatic passports to persons who hold a diplomatic rank or to persons whom the Minister for Foreign Affairs considers it appropriate to issue such a passport in order to carry out their duties. Official passports may to issued to an Irish citizen for the purpose of facilitating travel abroad in connection with the performance of official duties on behalf of the State. Applications are only approved for individuals who are Irish citizens and can demonstrate that they require a passport for travel to undertake official business on behalf of the State.
Diplomatic and official passports are issued free of charge on the grounds that the holder is engaged on official State business. Their use is restricted to travel on official business. Personal passports must be used for all other travel.
Tables below shows figures for Passports applied for and issued from 2017 to 30 November 2021.
|
Passports Applied for and Issued |
Diplomatic |
Official |
TOTAL |
|
2017 |
487 |
1624 |
2111 |
|
2018 |
584 |
1513 |
2097 |
|
2019 |
619 |
1318 |
1937 |
|
2020 |
417 |
1055 |
1472 |
|
01/01/2021 - 30/11/2021 |
557 |
1159 |
1716 |
