Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 November 2021
82. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason breastfeeding does not constitute emergency medical grounds for a passport to be issued to an infant (details supplied) whose parent needs to travel to undergo surgery abroad. [57688/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Travel Emergency service is available to citizens in cases of medical emergency or death of a family member abroad. Proof of emergency is required to avail of this service. First time passport applications are essentially applications for Irish citizenship and, as such, require very rigorous evaluation. First time applications for children are generally expedited through the Travel Emergency service only when there is evidence of the need for urgent and time-sensitive medical treatment for the child in question. In the case of documented urgent medical treatment overseas for a breastfeeding mother, the Passport Service similarly will assist the mother to travel accompanied by their breastfed child.
With regard to the specific application raised by the Deputy, the Passport Service has communicated the Travel Emergency policy to the family involved. The Service is awaiting submission of documentary evidence of urgent medical treatment for the mother in this case.
