Menu
02/07/2008
Over 400,000 NI People Claim 'Dual' Passports
Almost half a million Northern Ireland resident have claimed dual passports in the last 10 years.
The Irish Government has revealed that around 402,658 citizens from the North have claimed, or renewed, Republic passports since the inception of the Good Friday Agreement, in 1998.
All Northern Ireland residents are entitled to hold both British and Irish passports, a right underlined under the terms of the Agreement.
Since 2002 the number of applications for Irish passports has doubled, with over 60,000 seeking the document in 2007.
Pasty McGlone, an SDLP member of the Northern Ireland devolved government at Stormont, said there is "large and growing number of people who wanted to take advantage of their right to an Irish passport".
The MLA told the BBC: "It does seem that people believe the Irish passport is popular and safe to travel on.
"Pensioners are also taking advantage of the free Irish passports available to them."
Citizens from the unionist community have been among those claiming Republic passports "because the country's traditional neutrality made it a safer passport to travel on", according to Mr McGlone.
The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs said: "The majority of Northern Ireland applications are made using the Northern Ireland Express Post Service (NIPX) which is available in some 70 Post Offices throughout the area."
(PR)
The Irish Government has revealed that around 402,658 citizens from the North have claimed, or renewed, Republic passports since the inception of the Good Friday Agreement, in 1998.
All Northern Ireland residents are entitled to hold both British and Irish passports, a right underlined under the terms of the Agreement.
Since 2002 the number of applications for Irish passports has doubled, with over 60,000 seeking the document in 2007.
Pasty McGlone, an SDLP member of the Northern Ireland devolved government at Stormont, said there is "large and growing number of people who wanted to take advantage of their right to an Irish passport".
The MLA told the BBC: "It does seem that people believe the Irish passport is popular and safe to travel on.
"Pensioners are also taking advantage of the free Irish passports available to them."
Citizens from the unionist community have been among those claiming Republic passports "because the country's traditional neutrality made it a safer passport to travel on", according to Mr McGlone.
The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs said: "The majority of Northern Ireland applications are made using the Northern Ireland Express Post Service (NIPX) which is available in some 70 Post Offices throughout the area."
(PR)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
30 June 2010
Russian Espionage Scandal Used Irish Passports
It has emerged that at least one false Irish passport was used by a Russian spy ring allegedly operating in the US. The passport is said to have been passed to a Richard Murphy, who is among 11 people currently under trail in Manhattan Federal court, charged with being a Russian spy.
Russian Espionage Scandal Used Irish Passports
It has emerged that at least one false Irish passport was used by a Russian spy ring allegedly operating in the US. The passport is said to have been passed to a Richard Murphy, who is among 11 people currently under trail in Manhattan Federal court, charged with being a Russian spy.
02 February 2011
Diplomat Expulsion Prompts Russian Retribution
A Russian diplomat has been expelled from the country's embassy in Ireland after its spies were identified using stolen Irish passports.
Diplomat Expulsion Prompts Russian Retribution
A Russian diplomat has been expelled from the country's embassy in Ireland after its spies were identified using stolen Irish passports.
01 July 2010
Spies Should Be Prosecuted In Ireland – FG
Fine Gael are calling for the alleged Russian Spies who are believed to have used forged Irish passports to be charged and tried in Ireland. This week, 10 alleged Russian spies are facing a US trail after Intelligence services tracked their movements and infiltrated the group.
Spies Should Be Prosecuted In Ireland – FG
Fine Gael are calling for the alleged Russian Spies who are believed to have used forged Irish passports to be charged and tried in Ireland. This week, 10 alleged Russian spies are facing a US trail after Intelligence services tracked their movements and infiltrated the group.
16 February 2010
Irish Passports 'Connection' In Hamas Killing
Three Irish passports-holders have been connected to the assassination team allegedly responsible for killing a senior Hamas official in his Dubai hotel room last month, according to the Emirate's police it emerged today.
Irish Passports 'Connection' In Hamas Killing
Three Irish passports-holders have been connected to the assassination team allegedly responsible for killing a senior Hamas official in his Dubai hotel room last month, according to the Emirate's police it emerged today.
16 May 2008
'Large Irish Presence' At Cannes
The focal point for the Irish film industry at the Cannes Film Festival, the Irish Pavilion, has opened again for business this week, with over 200 of the leading lights of the Irish film industry flying out to the festival to promote and sell new Irish cinema.
'Large Irish Presence' At Cannes
The focal point for the Irish film industry at the Cannes Film Festival, the Irish Pavilion, has opened again for business this week, with over 200 of the leading lights of the Irish film industry flying out to the festival to promote and sell new Irish cinema.
-
Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
