asked the Minister for External Affairs if he is aware that Irish citizens, born in Northern Ireland and permanently resident there, are required, when travelling to England, to procure travel permits from the British Passport Office in Dublin, in cases when they do not wish to avail themselves of the Northern Ireland travel identity cards issued by the Northern Ireland police; if he will state the reasons why such persons cannot be provided with Irish passports, issued by his Department, which afford them the protection of the Irish High Commissioner in London, whereas such protection is not available to holders of British passports or other travel documents; and if he will take steps to arrange that, in future, all Irish citizens travelling abroad, irrespective of their place of abode in Ireland, will be provided on application, by his Department, with Irish passports or travel permits.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Travel Permits.
According to my information, the facts stated in the first part of the Deputy's question are not correct. Travel permit cards are not issued by the British passport office in Dublin. The position is that holders of Irish passports and travel permit cards desiring to travel from this country to Great Britain must, in compliance with British regulations, obtain a visa from the British permit office here in Dublin before departure. That requirement applies to holders of Irish passports and travel permit cards living not only in this part of the country but in the Six-County area as well.
As regards the remainder of the Deputy's question, the position is that Irish citizens born and resident in the Six-County area are entitled to obtain Irish passports or travel permit cards on application, and no such application is rejected on the ground that the applicant was born in the Six Counties or is resident in that area.
If I present the Taoiseach with full particulars concerning cases which are in strict accordance with my question here, will be undertake to have inquiries made?
The Deputy can give me no evidence contrary to these facts. That is the situation.
The Taoiseach has received representations from the Irish Citizens' Union of Birmingham in connection with this matter.
I have received no representations that are contrary to the statement there. If people make mistakes and do not understand what they are talking about, I cannot help them.
Surely the Taoiseach has received representations on this matter from the Irish Citizens' Union in Birmingham, a copy of which was sent to me?
I have received no representations of any kind that are contrary to the statement I have made. Representations are sometimes made which are based on misunderstandings and they are set right.
The Taoiseach will have representations to-morrow morning.
He will be getting a lot of letters to-morrow morning.