The Minister for Foreign Affairs has ordered a full review of the system under which politicians can fast-track passport applications for constituents.
Dermot Ahern announced that he has asked the Secretary General of his Department to carry out the review, including whether the system should be continued, in answer to a parliamentary question from Fine Gael's Phil Hogan.
The review follows Opposition criticism of the Taoiseach's involvement in helping process a passport application for Norman Turner, a businessman who was attempting to develop a Casino in the Phoenix Park.
At the time, the Government pointed out that 6,200 passport applications were forwarded by TDs and Senators last year.
In his parliamentary question, Deputy Hogan asked if this figure was correct.
Minister Ahern said the answer set out the position as accurately as possible, given that the system sometimes did not record the name of the Oireachtas member making the request.
He pointed out that the system had been put in place at a time when there were long queues outside the Passport Office.
And the Minister said that while he wished to continue to be of assistance to members on the issue, in the light of the recent focus on it, he had asked for a review of all aspects of the facility.
