Andrew Boylan
Ceist:23 Mr. Boylan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the current position of the honorary Irish counsul in Pakistan. [22410/97]
Written Answers. - Honorary Consuls.
Pat Rabbitte
Ceist:26 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the investigations, if any, which have been held into the activities of the honorary Irish consul in Pakistan and particularly into reports that he sought payments for the issuing of passports; if so, if he was supplied with blank passports; if this is the normal procedure in relation to honorary consuls; the way in which honorary consuls are appointed; if they are subjected to any vetting prior to appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22364/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 26 together.
Honorary consuls are appointed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs to look after the interests of Irish citizens abroad and to perform other consular functions. They play an important role in supplementing the work of our embassies and career consulates. Appointments are subject to the approval of the receiving state and are made following an evaluation of the need for a consulate and careful consideration of the suitability of applicants for the position. It is the policy of the Department of Foreign Affairs to check references submitted with applications. There are at present 68 honorary consuls.
Honorary consuls can accept applications for Irish passports. These are normally sent for processing to the Passport Office in Dublin. In November 1994 the Honorary Consul in Karachi was given five blank passport booklets for use in emergency situations and only then on the basis of prior approval from the Passport Office in Dublin. One passport was subsequently issued by the Honorary Consul, in May 1995, with the approval of the Passport Office. In November 1997 the Honorary Consul was instructed to return the four unused booklets to the Passport Office.
I am not aware of any allegations against the Honorary Consul in Karachi relating to the processing of applications for Irish passports.
In 1990 the Garda Síochána investigated allegations concerning visas which had been made against the Honorary Consul in Karachi. The investigation found that the allegations were not substantiated. Earlier this year further complaints concerning the processing of visa applications were received by the Department. These are being considered at present.
The Honorary Consul continues, for the present, to perform such duties as he is requested to undertake by the Department.