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NEW RULES ADOPTED by the European Parliament aim to make it easier for people whose passports are lost, stolen or damaged when travelling outside the European Union to get temporary documents.
The goal of the new directive is that no EU citizen will be refused when in need of a temporary travel document to get to their final destination.
If an Irish citizen loses their passport in a country where there is no Irish diplomatic mission, they will now be able to secure documentation through the embassy or consulate of another EU member state.
The new temporary travelling document will be valid for a maximum of 15 days and can be used to travel back home. The procedure of verifying applicants’ identity and issuing an emergency travel document for them should take a maximum of four days.
Neale Richmond, Fine Gael Senator and spokesperson on European Affairs, welcomed the “common-sense move”, saying it will “provide reassurance to Irish people on their travels”.
Better security features
The new legislation also increases the security components of these temporary travel documents – they will have improved facial imaging and machine-readable security features.
In relation to the improved security element, Richmond said: “Much has been done on other areas but up until recently temporary passports were the last unsecured identity documents issued by the EU states leading to abuse by human traffickers while certain countries refused to recognise them.”
He also noted that the Department of Foreign Affairs has improved the process for renewing passports with a new online system as well as speeding up the issuing of emergency passports.
Tender
The department is running a tendering process for a Passport Issuance and Processing System. The estimated value of the contract is €12 million.
“The solution being sought will be the main back office processing system and system of record for all passport applications and associated passport holder information,” a statement from the department notes.
The provision of associated services such as implementation of the system, support, maintenance and training will also be part of the agreement.
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There’s an “Irish person” fighting With ISIS in Syria at the moment and he doesn’t know it yet but he is definitely going to lose his Irish passport..
Let’s hope it’s not renewed!!!!!.
Losing the passport is the fear of any traveller.
This is a great service and very welcome. The message is; if you lose your passport don’t lose it within 4 days of the planned departure date. It’s also a good idea to have the passport card and keep it separate from the main document. I know it cant be used outside the EU but it should speed up security checks.
We also need to ensure that it’s not exploited by those that have no entitlement. Hopefully there is a effective system of secure checks that don’t delay.
What will all the people who usually call their TD do now
Great news for travellers
Side question.
Does every British passport have to be replaced after March 29th?
They all have European Union on the front and are the EU colours which I presume will be a security risk at points of entry.
@sequoia: I don’t think so there still valid until you get a new one. The difference being they’ll probably need go through non EU passport channel in Airports and Harbours.
@sequoia: Have you not heard? There will be people queueing up to replace their purple passports with blue ones on March 30. Was one of the primary reasons for brexit!
About time!
But will RyanAIr still want the old passport?
My advice is to get into an embassy and claim asylum. FIrst class travel assured and a free house when you get here.
Are the rules specifically in a *country* with no local consulate? Because that’s not a huge improvement. There’s not that many countries that get a lot of Irish visitors but have no consulate anywhere in the country. The more likely situation to find yourself in, is there is a consulate but not in the city you’re in.
have your say