Post by earl on Jul 1, 2008 16:25:02 GMT
INCREASED demand for Irish passports in the North has resulted in 400,000 passports being approved since the Good Friday Agreement, new figures reveal.
The number of passport applications from people born in Northern Ireland peaked last year at 60,000, accounting for 10pc of the total number of passports issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
In reply to a question from Fine Gael's Billy Timmins, Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin said: "The Good Friday Agreement recognises the birthright of all the people of Northern Ireland to identify themselves and be accepted as Irish or British, or both as they may so choose, and accordingly confirms their right to hold both British and Irish citizenship." Last year, applications from Northern Ireland rose by over 20pc.
In the past, there have been calls for an Irish passport office to be located in the North. However, the suggestion has previously been rejected.
The number of passport applications from people born in Northern Ireland peaked last year at 60,000, accounting for 10pc of the total number of passports issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
In reply to a question from Fine Gael's Billy Timmins, Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin said: "The Good Friday Agreement recognises the birthright of all the people of Northern Ireland to identify themselves and be accepted as Irish or British, or both as they may so choose, and accordingly confirms their right to hold both British and Irish citizenship." Last year, applications from Northern Ireland rose by over 20pc.
In the past, there have been calls for an Irish passport office to be located in the North. However, the suggestion has previously been rejected.
