Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 May 2026
79. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her views on the merits of creating a mechanism within children’s Irish passports that would allow for the inclusion of a connection to their parents in cases where they do not share the same surname to allow for ease of transit through passport control; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37226/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra84. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her views on the merits of creating a mechanism within Irish passports that would allow for the inclusion of a connection to a passport holder’s children in cases where they do not share the same surname to allow for ease of transit through passport control; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37227/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 84 together.
A passport is an internationally recognised travel document which attests to the identity and nationality of the bearer. The Passport Service follows recommendations from the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) in relation to the data that is held on a passport. ICAO is an international body which develops policies and standards for aviation safety and security.
All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act, 2008 ("the Act"), as amended. 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 their birth certificate or naturalisation certificate.
The function of the data held on a passport is to confirm the passport holder’s identity and nationality. The Passport Service does not include parents’ names on children’s passports; nor is this required by the provisions of the Act.
A passport for a minor under the age of 18 is valid for five years. It is important to note that it is possible that the guardianship circumstances of a child can change. As a result, parental links that were in place at the time of the passport application may subsequently become invalid. The child may also become an adult during the validity period of their passport.
A child travelling abroad must have their own passport, and cannot be included on their parent’s passport. The practice of allowing children to be included on a parent’s passport is being phased out internationally. This is intended to make international travel more secure for children. The previous practice of including a child on a parent’s passport meant that the child was not identified via photograph prior to travel.
I understand that situations arise where a parent is travelling with their child who does not share their surname and the parent is requested to produce further documents confirming the parental link. Border control authorities may also request extra documentation when children travel either unaccompanied or with an accompanying person who is not their parent. The purpose of border control authorities requesting further documentation is to help combat trafficking or smuggling of children as well as to prevent children from absconding or from being abducted.
My Department's website contains information for adults travelling with children and outlines additional documentation they may be required to carry, depending on the country to which they are travelling: www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/overseas-travel/advice/
More information on travelling with children is available on my department's website: www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/overseas-travel/know-before-you-go/travelling-with-children/
The Passport Service does not have any plans to expand the purpose of a passport to indicate a parental relationship between a child and their parents but will continue to consider ways in which to enhance this essential citizen service.
