Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2023
114. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a Northern Ireland electoral ID card is acceptable when applying for a passport when it is accompanied with a birth certificate as well as an expired Irish passport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34131/23]
View answerThe Passport Service takes its responsibility to protect the integrity of the Irish passport very seriously. The Irish passport has a strong international reputation due to the strength of the security features within the passport book and the robust processes involved in its issuance. The Irish passport was recently ranked 5th in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 189 countries. Accordingly, a rigorous analysis process is in place to verify the identity and citizenship status of first time applicants.
All passport applications are subject to the provisions of the Passports Act 2008, as amended. Under Section 7 of the Act, the Passport Service may require the applicant to produce such documents as are considered necessary for the purposes of issuing a passport.
Government issued photographic identification is required for all first time adult passport applications, in order for the Passport Service to establish the identity of the applicant. This can be a Public Services Card, an original passport from another country or a certified copy of a driver’s licence (certified by a solicitor or notary public). The Passport Service does not accept Electoral Identity Cards issued by the Electoral Office of Northern Ireland as these are not government issued photographic identification.
The Passport Service website outlines the documentary requirements for first time applicants residing in Northern Ireland: www.dfa.ie/passports/documentary-requirements/anadult/firsttimeapplicantbornontheislandofireland/.
The Passport Service understands that a very small number of applicants will not hold any of the specified types of government issued photographic identification. In such cases the Passport Service will provide further information to the applicant as to how their identity may be verified.
With regard to the specific application which the Deputy has shared with the Passport Service, this applicant's previous passport was issued more than 15 years ago. In such cases, the applicant must apply for their next passport as a first time applicant, and provide the required proof of identity. The Passport Service will contact the applicant directly in relation to the documentary requirements for their application.
