Passports issued later this year will have an embedded microchip containing the digitised facial image and personal details of the holder, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said today.
New passports will contain personal details on a special chip. Pic: Alan Betson
Mr Ahern said the integrated chip contained in the new biometric passports will facilitate the use of facial-recognition technology at ports and airports and ensure that Irish citizens comply with the latest international security standards.
The chip will only contain the personal details of the passport holder as they appear on the data page.
He said the Government had no plans to include finger printing or iris identification on the passports at this stage. They are expected to be introduced by October.
The Minister said he had received Cabinet approval for the drafting of legislation to provide for biometric passports and to introduce a series of new offences relating to travelling on a false passport or applying falsely.
He admitted that several recent high-profile cases such of those involving the "Colombia Three" had prompted the need to update the legislation.
Under the United States visa waiver programme, participating countries such as Ireland must move to full production of biometric passports before the October 26th.
Mr Ahern said: "This has serious implications for Ireland as it is estimated that Irish citizens made 500,000 visits to the US last year, making Ireland one of the top 10 countries among visitors to that country. The bulk of these visits were visa free".
He said only Irish passports produced after the October deadline would be covered by the new regulations.
The new ePassports are undergoing independent testing in The Netherlands. They are due to be tested in the US State facilities in Virginia next week to ensure they meet US specifications.
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