Passport Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 November 2019

Wednesday, 27 November 2019

Ceisteanna (90)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

90. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if all passports and passport cards issued to Irish citizens born in Taiwan will have the description of country of birth as Taiwan as was previously the case; the reason for changing the description; if the practice of other EU states will be followed; if the use of Taiwan as the description will be resumed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49373/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ireland, like all EU Member States and the EU itself, adheres to the One China policy and does not recognise Taiwan as a State. As such, for Irish citizens born in Taiwan, it is not possible to populate the country of birth information field on their Irish passport with wording other than that of “Taiwan, Province of China (TWN)”. This is the official designation used by the United Nations.