Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 April 2012
596 Deputy Shane Ross asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the plans, if any, he has in order to prevent individuals accessing and using the passports and identities of the deceased in order to facilitate various types of fraud; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20424/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Section 20 of the Passports Act 2008, it is an offence for a person to use a passport which was not issued to that person as evidence of identity or citizenship.
I am informed by my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade that passports, even after issue, remain the property of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and families are encouraged to return the passports of relatives who have died, forcancellation. Additionally, the Passport Service advises that, given the valuable nature of the document, holders should take care that it does not pass into the possession of an unauthorised person.
Suspected instances of fraudulent use of passports should be reported to the Garda for appropriate investigation.
