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Minister orders passport review FOREIGN Affairs Minister
Dermot Ahern has ordered a review of an element of the passport system
after a controversy involving the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
His move came after revelations the Taoiseach had helped to obtain a passport
for American businessman Norman Turner after he made a $10,000 donation
to Fianna Fáil.
It was obtained under an express system available to all TDs which allows
for the passport to be issued within five working days.
The Government says more than 6,200 passports were processed in this way
in 2007.
Minister Ahern said: “The Department of Foreign Affairs has always
sought to be of assistance to members of the Oireachtas including in relation
to passport applications and I believe this is widely appreciated.
“However in the light of the recent focus on it I have asked the
secretary general of the department to undertake a review of all aspects
of the facility — including whether it should be continued.” |
