Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 June 2024
96. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware of the difficulties faced by non-binary people looking to change their name; if he will ensure that this oversight in the system is urgently addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27107/24]
View answerAll passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008, as amended (“the Act“). The Act provides a legal basis for the various policies and procedures that are applied by the Passport Service in the issuing of passports.Section 10 of the Act provides that a passport will issue in the name of a citizen as it appears on his/her birth certificate or naturalisation certificate. However, a name change for a passport from that which appear on a person's birth certificate is permitted under the Act in situations such as marriage, civil partnership etc, where civil or legal documents are available to verify this change.In cases where a name change arises, other than by marriage or civil partnership etc, the Passport Service requires evidence in respect of the use of this new name and identity over a two year period. Evidence of this for at least two years through documentation such as photo ID and official correspondence in the new name is required.This policy seeks to protect the integrity and security of the Irish passport against identity fraud, while at the same time balancing the wishes of those citizens, who may wish to change their name for a variety of reasons, including people who are non-binary. The Passport Service can assess individual cases of non-binary applicants who wish to change their name and may not have a full two years' proof of usage. The Irish passport has a strong international reputation due to the strength of the security features within the passport book and the robust processes involved in its issuance. The Irish passport currently ranks second in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 193 countries.
