155 Deputy Seán Sherlock asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the way he arrived at the figure of €80, the new fee now applied to passports issued to those aged 65 years, a large percentage of whom count the State pension as their only source of income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2819/11]

The arrangement whereby citizens aged 65 and over were exempted from passport fees was introduced in 2005. In light of the current budgetary situation, the Government found it necessary to discontinue this arrangement. Accordingly, all passport applicants aged 18 years or over will pay the same fee of €80 for a ten year passport.