Neale Richmond
Dublin Rathdown · Fine Gael · Ireland
“I am grateful to Deputy Ó Murchú for raising this once again. I welcome the comments by his party leader this week when she declared that this is a great State and a great place to live in. It makes a welcome change from most other days of the week.”
“Another thing that must be looked at when discussing a united Ireland is that a lot of work has to be done to show example from political representatives on the base level of sectarianism that at least two other colleagues on these benches and I put up with every day.”
“They could not decide among themselves in the "Yes" campaign whether they would have a new form of sterling or a currency pegged to sterling or adopt the euro. That is not an issue for us. We join the European Union and we join the euro. It is simple as.”
“I will make a few concluding remarks to follow on from some of the points made by the Taoiseach in his opening iteration because in his 20 minutes he did not cover them all.”
“Over the coming months, we will act impartially serving as an honest broker among our fellow member states to progress many files in areas that were raised here today. Our work will respond to the overall interests and needs of the union, its member states and citizens across Europe.”
“More pertinently to the Deputy's questions, very real charges have been placed in The Irish Times and by other investigative journalists stating that the amounts of alumina being produced from Aughinish are going indirectly to the Russian war machine. If that is the case, it is completely unacceptable.”
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“Newly appointed gardaí will support existing members, such as the 775 Garda members assigned to the Dublin metropolitan region, DMR, north division, an increase of 107 since 2015, who are supported by 72 Garda staff, which is up 28 over the same period. I will address the issues specific to Northwood shortly, but the Deputy asked about community safety partnerships, which are key to addressing local concerns. More broadly, we recognise that we cannot police our way out of complex social problems. In that context, enhancing community safety requires a whole-of-society approach. That is why we are replacing joint policing committees with local community safety partnerships, LCSPs. These partnerships, which are provided for in the new Policing, Security and Community Safety Act, will build on the good work of the joint policing committees.”
“I sincerely thank Deputy O'Donoghue for raising this timely and important issue. At the outset, and before I get into the specifics, I condemn any incidents of racially motivated abuse. I know the Deputy shares that view, as does everyone in this House. It is important to say that sometimes because we can tend gloss over it. Such behaviour is a scourge that we must all stay united in our opposition to. The Deputy rightly and specifically raised the issue of gardaí on the beat. Getting more gardaí on our streets is this Government's first priority in the area of justice. Increased recruitment and appropriate civilianisation, where possible, is ongoing in order to achieve this goal. The level of resourcing provided to An Garda Síochána is supporting this work. The latest recruitment campaign was successful in attracting 6,700 applications.”
“Those costs and responsibilities are falling on the shoulders of principals, many of them teaching principals. We regularly get questions from constituents as to why their child does not have free hot school meals. It is either due to space or capacity with staff. That is an area that needs review, and I would be more than happy to work with the Deputy to ensure that review is forthcoming and works to the betterment of all our schools.”
“Another area relates to the need to look at the overall economic model. The Deputy is right. There is no way I can disagree with that. If we are looking at a model based on a 1960s parameter, it is of course time to review or refresh that 60 years on. I am more than happy to make that argument to the Minister on the Deputy's behalf. However, the final point relates to the administrative costs of running schools at primary level. Never mind the 1960s, the administrative costs compared with six years ago are completely unrecognisable. The wonderful advances in special education provision, free hot meals provision and the extra ability for schools to do more comes with a greater cost. It comes with a greater cost, but those costs are not being matched.”
“I will address three points in response. I will come to a broader point, but the first is that if there are specific schools, the financial support services unit, FSSU, on behalf of the Department plays a crucial role in seeing where there are funding gaps. In order for the Department to assess the current financial situation, the school needs to engage with the FSSU for the purpose. The Department will refer this school to the FSSU once confirmation of the situation is confirmed. If you have an individual school in your constituency facing specific needs that is where the FSSU can work in tandem with the Department. That is the first specific point. However, when a principal goes to you, they will thank you for that but say it is not going to solve their issue in the next 24 to 48 hours, and you should talk about that.”
“What the Department will not let me say is that it is not that we are comparing apples and oranges. It is that perhaps we are comparing Golden Delicious and Granny Smiths. They are different sized entities, and the pupils are a different size. There are more staff and a requirement for more staff. The costs are on the basis that trying to provide catering facilities in post-primary schools is different from the resources needed for the free hot school meals provided at primary level. There will always be a need to increase the funding for both primary and post-primary but there will always be a difference between those schools which the Deputy and I know clearly through our work.”
“It is difficult to make precise comparisons between the levels of grants paid and the actual costs of running schools at primary and post-primary level. In general, and put simply, post-primary schools are larger than primary schools. They have specialist rooms such as laboratories, workshops etc. This leads to higher unit costs for heat, light, power, maintenance and cleaning. There are also additional resources required at post-primary level for specialist subjects, such as home economics, wood technology, engineering, graphics and applied technology. There is therefore a difference in the level of capitation funding provided to primary and post-primary schools. The current standard rate of capitation grant is €200 per pupil in primary schools and €345 per student in post-primary schools.”
“This additional funding announced in the budget is designed to assist schools with increased day to day running costs such as the heating and electricity issues laid out by the Deputy. The funding was paid at a rate of €36 per pupil in primary schools and €55 per student in post-primary schools. Enhanced rates were also paid in respect of pupils with special educational needs and pupils from a Traveller background. The Department of Education is aware that costs and funding can pose a particular problem for schools, and is constantly working to address this matter and to enhance the financial and other supports available. While not wishing to pre-empt the outcomes of any future budget negotiations or fiscal parameters agreed by Government, the Department will continue to seek and prioritise the funding required to meet the ongoing costs.”
“The two main grants are the capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance and general upkeep and the ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. Schools have the flexibility to use capitation funding provided for general running costs and ancillary funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services as a common grant from which the board of management can allocate according to its own priorities. Primary schools with fewer than 60 pupils are paid the capitation and ancillary grants on the basis of having 60 pupils, no less. In addition to these grants, €45 million in cost-of-living supports were issued in November 2024 to support all recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education system.”
“The commitment in the programme for Government builds on the progress that has been made in recent years including a more than €30 million permanent increase in capitation funding. This represents an increase of circa 12% on current standard rates and results in the standard rates increasing from €200 to €224 for primary schools and from €345 to €386 per student in post-primary schools from September 2025. Over the past two budgets there has been an increase of 22%, give or take, in the level of capitation rates paid to all schools. The Department is committed to providing funding to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme by way of per capita grants.”
“I had to check my phone because in the Deputy's new guise as Oireachtas AI committee chairperson, I had to see if he had been reading my phone for the correspondence I have just had with the principal of a local national school in my area on more or less this exact point. This is an issue that regularly comes up for every Member of this House and I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to outline to the House, on behalf of the Minister, the position as to why the capitation grant for primary schools is less than that paid to secondary schools. As the Deputy knows, the Government is committed to increasing funding to support schools and the programme for Government commits to increasing capitation funding to all schools of all types to ensure they can meet the elevated day to day running costs.”
“Those are expensive as they are a bit more than the hard play areas the Department is focused on at the moment, so that is an area where there is not a lack of funding or will but there is a need for a specific stream to cater to that. The situation of Belgrove Infant Girls' School in Clontarf is one that is coming up in a number of schools around the country. This is the time of year when they come up. The Minister will look favourably where there is a situation the Department can work with management to facilitate. I have no hesitation in saying I will sit down with the Minister for Education and Youth and specifically raise the issue of Belgrove Infant Girls' School in Clontarf on the Deputy’s recommendation.”
“I fully empathise, especially with the comparison with Manor House School. I happen to know the pitch quite well from previous exploits as a really bad coach. I appreciate a pitch of that size represents serious capital work that is obviously way beyond the schemes laid out that are open at the moment. However, we have seen examples where there have been what I would not call public-private partnerships but community partnerships involving the local authorities and local sports and schools at both primary and post-primary levels to provide new pitches. Obviously, the common-sense approach is to remediate existing facilities, especially when we are talking about all-weather surfaces like 3G and 4G.”
“The purpose of this scheme is to devolve funding to individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works that, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times to avoid disrupting the operation of the school. This scheme will operate on a multi-annual basis for a number of categories, including external environment projects, which could include the provision or upgrade of outdoor play areas. The new scheme opened for applications in early May 2025 and all applications must be received by 5.30 p.m. on 30 June. Deputy Ó Muirí's recommendation has serious validity. I am more than happy to bring that back to the Department of education and thank the Deputy for bringing it to the floor of the House.”
“To the Deputy's specific point, repairs to existing play areas may be considered under the Department's emergency works scheme. The purpose of that scheme is to provide funding specifically for unforeseen emergencies or to provide funding to facilitate inclusion and access for pupils with special needs. The scheme is intended to remedy an emergency situation and usually provides an interim measure until a permanent solution can be delivered. In the case of outdoor play areas this usually only includes repairs to existing play areas, but each application is assessed on its own merits. Additionally, as the Deputy has alluded to, the Minister recently announced details in respect of the climate action summer works scheme.”
“The guidance also includes provision of landscaped areas on school sites providing a variety of external informal and social areas to suit the learning development and cultural needs of students during breaks and before and after school, and for a range of more formal curriculum needs. In addition, the design guidance for accommodation for pupils with special educational needs includes provision of external play areas with soft surfacing and especially sensory gardens. The Deputy has raised this a number of times, including when he was on the city council. The increased level of sensory gardens in our national schools is something we should all be so proud of. They are having a huge impact. My son's school just opened a new one and it is making a world of difference to every pupil.”
“The provision of school places, including for children with special education needs, has been a priority for the Department over recent years and this will continue to be the case. Nevertheless, the Minister for Education and Youth fully recognises the importance of physical activity and recreational facilities for students of all ages. It is important to note the provision of outdoor play areas forms part of the accommodation brief for all new school buildings or where a major building or refurbishment project is being delivered for an existing school. The current design guidance for new primary and post-primary schools includes hard-surfaced play areas for both recreation and physical education activities.”
“I sincerely thank Deputy Ó Muirí for raising this topic, which he knows is extremely close to my heart. He has years of experience of involvement, in his local community of Clontarf and beyond, in this specific area and this is a great opportunity to delve into it a little bit. Since 2020 the Department of education has invested more than €6 billion in our schools throughout the country under the national development plan. This has involved the completion of more than 1,375 school building projects. Government support for that investment has delivered real benefits. A recent Government decision has approved €210 million in supplementary capital funding for the Department. This brings the total capital allocation for 2025 to €1.6 billion.”
“If we wanted to be partisan about it on the Government side, we could say many things, but I have no interest in that here this morning. I hope the Senators appreciate that the Tánaiste and Minister for foreign affairs, the Taoiseach and the entire Government have no interest in it. I genuinely and wholeheartedly want to work, and look forward to working, with all Members of this House to see the passage of the legislation on occupied territories as swiftly as possible when it goes to the foreign affairs committee. We will do everything we can. Equally, I will endeavour to be as constructive as possible regarding whatever other legislative tools need to be used. In no way in taking these actions will we ever lose sight of what I believe was unifying commentary this morning to the effect that, as we talk, children are being killed.”
“I am not trying to open a debate at all; I am just trying to provide the context and, perhaps, a window and passage forward. The Senator and I, and indeed her wonderful former adviser, would have trawled through legal opinions, perhaps more than Senator McDowell goes through in a year. It was absolutely mesmerising. Looking at what was considered last night in the Dáil and the reaction to it, and looking at the status quo and current legal opinion, it is a case of asking how we change the system to open a path. I do not think anyone who was in the Chamber last night – the 84 TDs who have been told many times, including this morning, that they are complicit in genocide or that their behaviour is shameful – has had the intention ascribed to him or her, nor does he or she ever want to have it in debate.”
“Regardless of people’s personal opinions and emotions, and appreciating that this debate is emotive for many, I completely respect the bona fides of those who introduced the legislation in the Dáil this week, the desire to achieve something and to feel, given the mind-blowing level of frustration, that we are actually contributing in some way to alleviating the suffering and deprivation we see on our screens. On the other side, we need to ensure things are legally binding and, if they are not, that we determine how to change the process to make them so.”
“I am ashamed of myself – I genuinely and sincerely mean that – but still maintain my belief that whatever we agree on has to be binding and legally enforceable. That will still guide me but it does not take away for one instant from the level of commitment, compassion and empathy of all Members of this House. There is an awful lot more I could inform this House about in relation to the ICJ action and so much else. It is all good stuff that the Members all probably heard before and that has probably been aired in debates.”
“That is why, as someone who definitely took a different approach to the conflict in the Middle East than Senator Black, Senator Andrews and others – we would have had robust debates over the years – I find myself in my current position. I very much find myself in the same position as so many Members in the UK’s House of Commons, who stood up a couple of weeks ago and said that, traditionally, they would have absolutely believed in the right of Israel to exist first and foremost and, indeed, its right to defend itself but that what it has done over the past 23 months or thereabouts has really made people like them completely change their opinions and open their eyes to the level of deprivation we are seeing among an oppressed people.”
“There was someone on the panel who very much disagreed with us. However, I was wholeheartedly in agreement, as I am now, that if we are to pass anything, it must be fully in compliance with international and EU law. If we are to pass something, it must in the first instance be something we can stand over legally and, second, something that allows us to show the path to other member states and countries around the world. South Africa got ahead of us regarding the work concerning the ICJ. We have been able to join that case. We have seen what the South Africans could do, and perhaps we can see what we can do. The legislation that comes out of this House, on its own, will not end the conflict overnight, as we all accept, but it is an important step.”
“That is really important, not just for its symbolism but also for what it will mean in the wider debate on how we move on regarding the likes of the association agreement, trading practices, and getting other EU member states to adopt legislation of the kind that will be passed swiftly in these Houses once it is subjected to pre-legislative scrutiny. Senator Black and I sat beside each other in the Seanad when she introduced the occupied territories Bill more than eight years ago. Senator Higgins was one seat behind me and my dear friend, Anthony Lawlor, was on the other side, in from where Senator Lynch is now. I spoke against Senator Black’s Bill at the time. She will remember the tone of the debate. I did not disagree with one iota of what she was trying to achieve, as we discussed on television not too long afterwards.”
“One of the main reasons Ireland, like Norway and Spain, officially recognised Palestine last year was not just the long-standing, righteous call from many in this House and outside. It was, at a very perilous time, about maintaining our true belief in the future of a two-state solution and providing the pathway. There are issues concerning the role of Hamas and governance that other EU member states have been referring to for many months, but these are starting to be addressed. I had a conversation on this with the Palestinian ambassador to Ireland last week and, indeed, her EU counterpart this week. We can get more states to recognise Palestine in the coming weeks.”
“The discussions between Senator Black and the Tánaiste are ongoing to ensure we get something robust that best represents the original legislation and that is within the confines of international law. The Slovenian foreign minister has stated Slovenia is going to replicate whatever we pass. She said that to me on the floor of the European Council. While this is great, Slovenia is but one country and there are 25 more to go. We have seen indications from other member states. They have seen where moves have been made on recognition and are slowly coming around. There is an extremely important conference in New York organised by France and Saudi Arabia on maintaining the importance of the two-state solution.”
“Senator Cosgrove referred to the debate in the United States. We know that is alien. Senator Black, who spends an awful lot of time in the United States, knows that what is being discussed there is something we would not recognise. At European level, and previously at British level, the debate was one we would not have recognised, but it is shifting. I say that to give an indication of what should and can be achieved and what we are genuinely trying to achieve. Senator Higgins referred to the legislation on the occupied territories that will soon go to the foreign affairs committee for pre-legislative scrutiny. It is not there yet. Let us wait until we get there.”
“The proposal gives us an opportunity and a responsibility. Representatives in the European Parliament, of all parties and groups and of none, have been relatively united on this. I was in the European Parliament with the Slovenian Prime Minister for last week’s debate on Gaza. It was toxic, to be quite frank. Some of the rhetoric from members of my own political family, the European People’s Party, and equally from the far right and various other groups, both centre and centre left, was just so alien to what we are discussing. In the debate we are having here in Ireland, we will get frustrated with one another and the Government will be castigated by protesters in opposition. I hear that and I am not countering it. I am not going to dismiss it for one instant, but it is important to set out the context of this debate.”
“I am trying to be helpful in what I say and not in any way to be combative or to disagree with the point the Senator makes. However, it is useful for me to lay out what the Irish Government is genuinely trying to do to move the European obstacles out of the way and achieve consensus, but also shift the dial regarding the perception of the conflict in certain member states. Two member states backed our proposal in April of last year and the number is now 17. Do I believe the proposal is 1% of what is enough? Absolutely not. I recognise that. It is nowhere near what is required to save enough lives or stop the conflict quickly enough. It is but one of many tools and processes open to us. Senator Stephenson listed a number of them and I am going to respond to them in due course, so she should not worry in that regard.”
“It is important to focus on the fact that when Ireland and Spain tabled a review, given that it is blatantly obvious to anyone with eyes and ears that human rights abuses are going on in the Gaza Strip, only two member states supported it. Last week, 17 member states supported taking such a step, an increase of 15 over the course of a bloody horrific year that has seen tens of thousands of people killed in the Gaza Strip. That is very important. I appreciate what Senator Stephenson said about it being time to stop hiding behind the EU. I do not necessarily accept that we are hiding behind the EU, but there are opinions in other EU member states to an extent that she and I, and anyone in this Chamber, would simply not recognise that the situation being discussed is the same one we know and care so passionately about.”
“This is an important decision reflecting the grave concerns held by member states on the ongoing military operations by Israel and the limited restart of humanitarian aid entering Gaza. As the death toll in Gaza continues to rise, the EU must use all levers at its disposal with the urgency the situation demands. I will go off script, for the want of a better description, and give a little bit of information to this House. Those who were present at the foreign affairs committee under Deputy Lahart's chairmanship earlier in the week will have heard me go into this detail. Senator Lynch referred to shifting EU opinion.”
“Debates outside this Chamber and jurisdiction lose focus on the sheer basic necessities for life that are being restricted. In February 2024, Ireland and Spain wrote to the President of the European Commission requesting an urgent review of Israel's compliance with humanitarian obligations under the association agreement. Since then, the situation has become immeasurably worse. Ireland has deliberately led on this issue. We welcome the growing number of EU member states who now also support a review of Israel's compliance with these obligations. I also welcome last week's announcement that the EU will conduct a review of the association agreement with Israel. I attended this meeting on behalf of the Tánaiste and spoke strongly in favour of the EU taking this step.”
“We have also been providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza through other agencies, including the World Food Programme and the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies. Through Ireland's rapid response initiative, 116 tonnes of relief supplies, including family tents, tarpaulins, blankets, water cans and hygiene kits have been provided. There are currently two consignments of humanitarian aid in Jordan awaiting entry to Gaza. Both consignments had received approval to enter Gaza but were unable to do so following the imposition by Israel of the blockade. We are talking about tarpaulin, which people need to use in place of the house or apartment they were living in a matter of months ago. At this point, we are not allowed to send truckloads of tarpaulin, basic medicines and food into the Gaza Strip.”
“This includes €58 million for UNRWA since 2023 to support its programmes in Gaza and the West Bank. I know these statements are on Gaza but it is important that we also refer to the situation in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, as well as in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, which are also equally horrific. We have been steadfast in our defence of UNRWA at EU level. While several EU countries halted their funding to the organisation, putting it at existential risk, instead we contributed an additional €20 million. We have been clear that there is no realistic alternative to UNRWA - that it is the backbone of the humanitarian response in Gaza and the main provider of education, health and social services in Gaza. Its work is irreplaceable for millions of Palestinian refugees in the region, particularly in the current context in Gaza.”
“I welcome that the EU High Representative, Kaja Kallas, issued a joint statement with Commissioners Šuica and Lahbib earlier this month, stating that the new mechanism "runs counter to humanitarian principles, as underlined by UN agencies and humanitarian partners". I also reiterate that there can be no forced displacement of the civilian population in Gaza nor occupation of the Gaza Strip by Israel. This was made clear by Ireland and other EU member states at the EU-Israel Association Council in February. Ireland has provided more than €87 million in support of the people of Palestine since January 2023. Of this, more than €75 million has been provided in humanitarian assistance in response to the suffering caused by the conflict in Gaza since October 2023.”
“The UN has described this as unacceptable and "designed to further control and restrict supplies". The UN relief chief, Tom Fletcher, has called it a "cynical sideshow". Ireland and the European Union have been clear that the use of humanitarian aid as a tool of war is prohibited under international humanitarian law. The effectiveness of the UN and the delivery mechanisms of humanitarian aid, in particular by UNRWA, was clearly proven to be the best available system during the ceasefire from 19 January until Israel's unilateral decision to block all aid supplies into Gaza on 2 March.”
“The renewed offensive in Gaza and plans to establish full control of the Gaza Strip are not just alarming, they are illegal and worrying and, to be quite frank, morally depraved. Let me also be clear in my condemnation of Hamas, for its terror attack on Israel, for continuing to keep hostages in captivity, and for the death and destruction it has brought to Palestinians and Israelis alike. The humanitarian situation in Gaza in particular is truly horrific. While there has been a limited restart of humanitarian aid into Gaza, the understatement of the century is that this is clearly insufficient. The obstruction of lifesaving aid by Israel is a violation of its international obligations. Israel decided on 4 May that it would take control of the distribution of humanitarian aid as a condition to lifting its blockade.”
“Senator Andrews took the words out of my mouth. The Lord knows what has befallen most of those children since. I know everyone in this House has a personal commitment, some for different periods and others in various regards. In recent months, more than 54,000 people have been killed, more than 123,000 injured, and 90% of the population has been displaced, some up to 13 times. When we speak about the 123,000 who were injured, we are not talking about cuts and scrapes. We are talking about catastrophic injuries that cannot receive the level of treatment, rehabilitation or required level of care in this situation. We continue to witness appalling scenes from Gaza every night on our television screens.”
“I remember Senator Andrews and I attending an event in Ballinteer St. John's GAA club a number of years ago when he brought a young football team from Gaza.”
“That is very generous of you, a Leas-Chathaoirligh. That is the spirit and the mood of the House. We all recognise that. Before I respond to some of the issues raised and speak about the issue more generally, for the benefit of the House I would like to focus more specifically on humanitarian aid, because it is my specific brief as Minister of State with responsibility for international development. As we all know, over the course of the past 18 months, we have witnessed the unfolding of a humanitarian catastrophe of staggering proportions in Gaza. It is not a new catastrophe, but it has moved to a certain level that none of us ever envisaged, in particular those in the House who have been long-time campaigners in this area. I am not one of those. I acknowledge Senators Black and Andrews.”
“I thank Senators from all parties and none for their very thoughtful, considered and genuine contributions here this morning. There is no way I will be able to respond in ten minutes to all the issues raised or be able to give this debate the respect and dignity it deserves. I will endeavour to do my best because I truly appreciate the opportunity to respond to the debate.”
“We maintain a good relationship with An Garda Síochána, and where we can work more closely together and where the Deputy can feed in this level of constructive criticism, I see no reason not to take it on board.”
“If that is to happen to a person who is one of those who does everything the Deputy and I would say to them not to do, such as book travel, particularly for a child, without a valid passport, the first place the person will turn to, if not the parish priest, is probably their local TD, in search of divine or political intervention. That is not to take away from the stress and the fact this does not absolve us from our responsibility to constantly improve the customer-facing role of the Passport Office. It is exceptional and possibly the best service in the State. Post Covid, we had a lot of debates about that and we do not have them anymore. I repeat that we will welcome any opportunity for An Garda Síochána to digitise its records.”
“As a personal observation as much as anything else, and the Deputy and I have been in this House for the same amount of time so I do not pretend to be an oracle on this, if a person is contacting their TD about any issue, it is generally the last-chance saloon. People get pretty desperate and sometimes there have been failings in the systems and sometimes the person is that anomaly. As I mentioned, only 17% of applications require Garda witnessing. So far, 440,000 applications have been processed, so 17% of 440,000 equates to 23,000, last week alone. There will always be a few where the Garda station cannot be contacted three times or the superintendent cannot be contacted and then, eventually, it has to go back.”
“I will reply on two issues. Where an Irish passport is tampered with, it tends not to be a forged or made-up document. It tends to be a stolen passport which someone uses to try to assume the identity of the owner and by trying to say they look like the person in the photo. That is how good the Irish passport is. The Deputy referred to an incident from ten or 12 years ago. I can assure him that things are greatly different now. Hence, the number one status, which has been achieved by 500 amazing staff in Balbriggan who I was very lucky to visit with Deputy Grace Boland a couple of weeks ago.”
“It is impossible to forge and that is specifically important when we talk about applications for children and protecting minors in that service. While the system may seem a little onerous, it is there for good reason. That does not, however, preclude options for completely and continuously improving it as we saw from the original introduction of the online service in 2017. As I said, I am more than happy to work, particularly with Deputy Donnelly, on how we can improve this system.”
“Currently, there is a general update of passport service policies in the context of the ongoing programme of passport service reform. This reform programme focuses on the future of service delivery by implementing projects which enhance the customer experience while maintaining the integrity of the Irish passport. Where viable, we will look at all potential options for modernising the facility but I cannot understate enough that officially, the Irish passport is the best ranked passport in the world. It is number one – not one of 100 – number one. There are a couple of things that go into that. First, it has access to various jurisdictions vis-à-vis travel and access to the European free market, which is great but really the main deciding feature is the veracity of the Irish passport.”
“Passport applications are checked by experienced entitlement officers who endeavour to maintain up-to-date records of the opening hours of Garda stations. Where the passport service cannot reach the Garda station after three attempts, the relevant superintendent’s office can be contacted to verify the details. If the passport service is unable to verify the witness after these steps have been taken, only then will a new witnessed form be requested from the applicant. The passport service is continuously looking, however, at ways to make the application process easier for applicants, including the enhancement of digital services, and would therefore welcome the digitisation of the records maintained by An Garda Síochána when witnessing applications.”
“To protect the rights of parents or guardians and children, it is important that forms are correctly completed. As I mentioned previously, child online renewal applications can be witnessed by a range of professions; not just gardaí. When a garda does witness an application, it is the responsibility of the witnessing garda to ensure the signature is correctly recorded in their station logbook in order that when the passport service calls, the signature can be verified. Only 17% of all applications require a Garda witness. In these cases, the passport service calls the relevant station to confirm the garda recorded the form in their logbook. The passport service is not required to directly speak to the witnessing garda. Passport service staff call the Garda station up to three times to verify the signature.”