Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 May 2024
5. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the passport service contacting witnesses to passport applications on weekends when the persons commonly used as witnesses, such as GPs, may be inaccessible; his proposals to ensure this does not unnecessarily result in new witness forms being sought, thereby unduly delaying the processing of applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22053/24]
View answer6. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the new Garda roster resulting in members who witness passport applications being unavailable over multiple subsequent days and that this is leading to applicants being obliged to submit new witness forms and unduly delaying the processing of applications; his proposals to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22054/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 6 together.
There are certain passport applications for applicants resident in Ireland that require forms to be witnessed by a member of An Garda Síochána. The witnessing of these forms is a vital element of the identity verification process for the Passport Service, as it provides initial assurance that the person in the photograph is the same person submitting the passport application form. These include:
• Certificate of Identity on Post Passport (paper) applications (section 8 and 9 of the application form)
• Identity Verification Forms for First time adult online applications
• Child Identity and Consent Forms for First time child online applications.
Section 7 of the Post Passport paper application form where parents and guardians give consent to this issuance of a passport to their child does not require a Garda signature and can be verified by any of the approved witnesses. A full list of approved witnesses and guidance for having passport forms witnessed is available at my Department's website - www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/passports/how-to-get-your-application-witnessed/
In the case of children's applications, witnessing of these forms ensures that the consent of guardians is verified. Garda stations maintain logs of these witnessed forms for verification purposes.
For each application that requires a Garda witness, the Passport Service calls the relevant Garda station to confirm that the Garda witness recorded the witnessed form in the station logbook. Passport Service staff will call the relevant Garda station up to three times to verify the Garda's signature. Where the Passport Service cannot reach the Garda station, there is a system in place whereby the Passport Service contacts the relevant Superintendent’s Office to verify the details. There is no requirement for the Passport Service to speak to the witnessing Garda as long as the Garda Station can confirm the record of the form being witnessed in the station logbook.
The Passport Service offers overtime, on a voluntary basis, to staff when necessary to meet demand, avoid delays and prevent backlogs. This means that on occasion, witnesses may be contacted at the weekend. This should not cause an application to be delayed however, as the Passport Service policy is to attempt to contact the witness up to three times to verify their signature. If a witness is not available at the weekend, the Passport Service will attempt to contact them again on a working day.
The Passport Service is continuously looking at ways to make the application process easier for applicants, including the enhancement of digital services. My Department would welcome the digitisation of the records maintained by An Garda Síochána when witnessing applications.
In addition to this, the Passport Service maintains a close working relationship with An Garda Síochána and regularly offers training and guidance to Gardaí on the correct completion of the required identity and consent forms.
It is not the experience of the Passport Service that there are widespread issues in the system of witnessing passport applications by An Garda Síochána generally, or in particular, causing applications to need new witness forms. The 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 2nd in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 193 countries.
