Written Answers Nos. 1-20
1. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Taoiseach further to Parliamentary Question No. 7 of 25 July 2023 (details supplied), how many records relating to this matter have been withheld in total; how many by year; and when the last review of such files took place. [37394/23]
View answer3. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Taoiseach if all of the Attorney General’s records relating to a constitutional action (details supplied) have been transferred to the national archives. [37504/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 3 together.
Records withheld by the Office of the Attorney General under section 8(4) of the National Archives Act 1986, as amended, are not categorised in accordance with the class/type of case identified by Deputy Costello in Question No. 7 of 25 July 2023 and, therefore, the specific data requested is not available. All such records are, however, subject to review every five years.
In relation to Question No. 3, I am advised that records relating to the matter referred to by the Deputy are being considered by the Office of the Attorney General, as part of its 2023 transfer programme, for transfer to the National Archives at the end of 2023.
2. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Taoiseach for an update on the work of the child poverty unit in his Department, including the dates of meetings the unit has held since its establishment and any memos, reports or recommendations the unit has made. [37464/23]
View answerIn December, I announced my intention to set up a Child Poverty Unit in the Department of the Taoiseach. I am happy to confirm that the Unit is now fully up and running and on 1st August, published its initial work programme for the next two and a half years From Poverty to Potential: A Programme Plan for Child Poverty and Well-being 2023-2025.
The initial Programme for the Child Poverty and Well-being Office focuses on six areas that will have the greatest impact on the lives of children who experience poverty. These six areas are:
1) Income supports and joblessness
2) Early learning and childcare
3) Reducing the cost of education
4) Family homelessness
5) Consolidating and integrating family and parental support, health and well-being
6) Enhancing participation in culture, arts and sport for children and young people affected by poverty.
A draft of the Programme plan was discussed at the first Cabinet Committee meeting on Children and Education on Thursday, 13th July 2023. The next Cabinet Committee meeting on Children and Education is due to take place in October 2023.
In preparing the Programme, my officials engaged in extensive consultation with government and non-governmental partners.
A Memorandum on the Child Poverty and Well-Being Programme Plan 2023-2025 was submitted for the information of the Government at Cabinet on Tuesday, 25th July 2023.
The Programme Plan is intended to drive implementation of a broad range of commitments that will impact on the six areas, but the Office will also undertake a small number of strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing the efficiency and efficacy of cross-government responses.
This includes ensuring a specific focus on child poverty at budget time. The annual budget is a critical moment in which Government articulates its ambition for the coming year.
Given the Government’s commitment to reducing child poverty, I know that the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and my other cabinet colleagues are looking at what could be achieved in the context of Budget 2024.
4. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach to report on his visit to Ukraine in July 2023, including his meeting with President Zelensky, and when this meeting was planned. [37528/23]
View answerOn 19 July, the Taoiseach travelled to Ukraine to meet with President Zelensky, and to pledge solidarity with the people of the country. During his visit, the Taoiseach announced an additional €5 million in humanitarian assistance for the ongoing emergency response, drawn from the Humanitarian Assistance budget line of Vote27, Department of Foreign Affairs . Of this, €2 million is being allocated to the United Nations Ukraine Humanitarian Fund, which is supporting local NGO and civil society organisations across the country. €3 million is being allocated to the International Federation of the Red Cross, as support for the work of the Ukrainian Red Cross. This funding will be subject to the monitoring and transparency criteria applied to all of Ireland's Official Development Assistance (ODA) programming.
5. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Taoiseach the reasoning for the 100-year rule for releasing census data; and if it has been considered to reduce the 100-year rule for genealogy purposes. [37651/23]
View answerThe Censuses of Population carried out between 1926 and 1991 were undertaken under the 1926 Statistics Act which did not permit access to Census records at any time. The Statistics Act, 1993 repealed the 1926 Statistics Act and the 1946 Statistics (Amendment) Act, and provided for the release of census forms from these censuses 100 years after the date of the relevant Census.
When the 100 years access was debated in the Oireachtas the view was expressed that this time period should be reduced to 75, or even 50 years. However, while the retrospective introduction of the 100 years exemption was seen by some as undermining the original guarantee given to householders, it was generally accepted that 100 years was a reasonable compromise given that relatively few people would still be alive after 100 years.
I am satisfied that the 100 year period provided for in the Statistics Act 1993 strikes the right balance between facilitating legitimate historical and genealogical research on the one hand, while protecting the confidentiality of census data and maintaining the integrity of the guarantees the CSO makes to the public regarding the privacy of the information provided on census forms.
6. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he will consider relaxing the 100-year rule for releasing census data, making it a shorter 30- or 50-year rule so that the census can be useful for genealogy purposes. [37815/23]
View answerThe Censuses of Population carried out between 1926 and 1991 were undertaken under the 1926 Statistics Act which did not permit access to Census records at any time. The Statistics Act, 1993 repealed the 1926 Statistics Act and the 1946 Statistics (Amendment) Act, and provided for the release of census forms from these censuses 100 years after the date of the relevant Census.
When the 100 years access was debated in the Oireachtas the view was expressed that this time period should be reduced to 75, or even 50 years. However, while the retrospective introduction of the 100 years exemption was seen by some as undermining the original guarantee given to householders, it was generally accepted that 100 years was a reasonable compromise given that relatively few people would still be alive after 100 years.
I am satisfied that the 100 year period provided for in the Statistics Act 1993 strikes the right balance between facilitating legitimate historical and genealogical research on the one hand, while protecting the confidentiality of census data and maintaining the integrity of the guarantees the CSO makes to the public regarding the privacy of the information provided on census forms.
7. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Taoiseach if he would consider publishing individual census returns earlier than the elapse of 100 years, in order that more timely research could be undertaken by those interested in genealogy and social history. [37832/23]
View answerThe Censuses of Population carried out between 1926 and 1991 were undertaken under the 1926 Statistics Act which did not permit access to Census records at any time. The Statistics Act, 1993 repealed the 1926 Statistics Act and the 1946 Statistics (Amendment) Act, and provided for the release of census forms from these censuses 100 years after the date of the relevant Census.
When the 100 years access was debated in the Oireachtas the view was expressed that this time period should be reduced to 75, or even 50 years. However, while the retrospective introduction of the 100 years exemption was seen by some as undermining the original guarantee given to householders, it was generally accepted that 100 years was a reasonable compromise given that relatively few people would still be alive after 100 years.
I am satisfied that the 100 year period provided for in the Statistics Act 1993 strikes the right balance between facilitating legitimate historical and genealogical research on the one hand, while protecting the confidentiality of census data and maintaining the integrity of the guarantees the CSO makes to the public regarding the privacy of the information provided on census forms
8. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Taoiseach if there are any plans to reduce the 100-year rule with regard to the release of census data. [38127/23]
View answerThe Censuses of Population carried out between 1926 and 1991 were undertaken under the 1926 Statistics Act which did not permit access to Census records at any time. The Statistics Act, 1993 repealed the 1926 Statistics Act and the 1946 Statistics (Amendment) Act, and provided for the release of census forms from these censuses 100 years after the date of the relevant Census.
When the 100 years access was debated in the Oireachtas the view was expressed that this time period should be reduced to 75, or even 50 years. However, while the retrospective introduction of the 100 years exemption was seen by some as undermining the original guarantee given to householders, it was generally accepted that 100 years was a reasonable compromise given that relatively few people would still be alive after 100 years.
I am satisfied that the 100 year period provided for in the Statistics Act 1993 strikes the right balance between facilitating legitimate historical and genealogical research on the one hand, while protecting the confidentiality of census data and maintaining the integrity of the guarantees the CSO makes to the public regarding the privacy of the information provided on census forms.
9. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Taoiseach the reasoning on the 100-year rule in relation to making public previous census data. [38350/23]
View answerThe Censuses of Population carried out between 1926 and 1991 were undertaken under the 1926 Statistics Act which did not permit access to Census records at any time. The Statistics Act, 1993 repealed the 1926 Statistics Act and the 1946 Statistics (Amendment) Act, and provided for the release of census forms from these censuses 100 years after the date of the relevant Census.
When the 100 years access was debated in the Oireachtas the view was expressed that this time period should be reduced to 75, or even 50 years. However, while the retrospective introduction of the 100 years exemption was seen by some as undermining the original guarantee given to householders, it was generally accepted that 100 years was a reasonable compromise given that relatively few people would still be alive after 100 years.
I am satisfied that the 100 year period provided for in the Statistics Act 1993 strikes the right balance between facilitating legitimate historical and genealogical research on the one hand, while protecting the confidentiality of census data and maintaining the integrity of the guarantees the CSO makes to the public regarding the privacy of the information provided on census forms.
10. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Taoiseach to confirm if the CSO is considering switching to a different way of measuring Ireland's economic performance and industrial output (details supplied); if so, what techniques will be used; when any change will be introduced; and if a request for such a change has been made by Eurostat. [38360/23]
View answerThe article supplied by the Deputy refers to the CSO’s Industrial Production and Turnover (IPT) release.
This release is a Eurostat legal requirement under EU Regulation 1165/98, as amended. Two indices are compiled for the release – the monthly index of production and the monthly index of turnover. The monthly index of production measures the change, each month, in how much Irish industry is producing, while the monthly index of turnover measures the changes in the level of sales each month. The IPT is prepared in compliance with the Eurostat requirements and the international standards set by the UN in its International Recommendations for the Index of Industrial Production (2010). As such, it is not possible to change the methodology by which the IPT is prepared.
The article references the impact of multinational enterprises on the IPT. In line with the EU and international requirements, the IPT includes outsourced production as part of an enterprise’s Irish production. Given the scale of contract manufacturing and outsourcing attributable to Ireland under these standards, this requirement to include outsourced production in Irish production data has given rise to high levels of short-term volatility in the indices included in the IPT release. As a consequence, and to support better understanding of the IPT, the CSO advises that a longer-term view of the indices be taken and also presents statistics on a rolling quarterly basis in the monthly IPT release to support users in taking a longer-term view.
In line with best practice of frequent methodological review, the CSO is also reviewing the current approach to seasonal adjustment used in the monthly IPT and will apply any findings from that review. Additionally, and as part of its ongoing consideration of user needs, the CSO continues to refine and develop its outputs and communications to support users in understanding and utilising official statistics like the IPT.
11. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach if his Department has taken advice in respect of the use of artificial intelligence (A.I.) within his Department; if any section of his Department currently makes use of A.I., and if he will outline the purposes it is utilised for and costs associated with same; and if he has consulted with any consultancy firms in respect of the use of A.I. [38575/23]
View answerThe National Cyber Security Centre have in recent months provided all Government Departments with high-level guidance focussing on the data, privacy and security risks related to the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI). The Department of the Taoiseach does not currently use artificial intelligence services.
12. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of any engagement he has had with his counterparts in the United States with regard to the provision of cluster munitions by the US to Ukraine (details supplied), particularly in light of the ongoing use of Shannon Airport by the US military and Ireland's obligations under the Convention on Cluster Munitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37176/23]
View answerIreland has held a strong and unwavering commitment to the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) since its adoption in Dublin in 2008. Along with over 100 States Parties to the CCM, we maintain our position that these weapons are by their nature, indiscriminate and imprecise. Ireland will continue to uphold our obligation not to facilitate the carriage of such munitions either on military or civil aircraft. Our position is well known and is fully understood by the United States and other international partners.
Moreover, foreign military aircraft are permitted to land in the State only if they meet strict conditions, including that the aircraft be unarmed, and carry no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it is not engaged in intelligence gathering; and that it does not form part of a military operation or exercise.
There is also a long-standing process in place concerning the carriage of munitions of war on civil aircraft in Irish sovereign territory. Under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Orders 1973 and 1989, it is expressly prohibited for civil aircraft to carry munitions of war in Irish sovereign territory, without being granted an exemption to do so from the Minister for Transport.
In considering any application for such an exemption in respect of munitions of war, the Department of Transport consults with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Justice to determine if there are foreign policy or security considerations to take into account. The process is robust and includes advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs in respect of international humanitarian law, Ireland’s international obligations and our wider arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation policy.
13. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 790 of 26 April 2022, for an update on what actions he has taken with the Togolese government to press for the release of an Irish citizen (details supplied), who has been held in detention without trial for almost five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37223/23]
View answerI can reassure the Deputy that my Department is continuing to provide consular assistance on this case through our Consular Assistance Unit in Dublin, and the Embassy of Ireland in Abuja - given its secondary accreditation to Togo.
There has been engagement with the Togolese authorities in relation to the humanitarian aspects of this case. I have personally written to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and African Integration of Togo on the matter.
Additionally, my Department is in close contact with the Irish Council for Prisoners Overseas (ICPO) which is also providing support to the citizen, and with the Embassy of France in Togo.
Please be assured that the Department of Foreign Affairs will continue to engage actively on this case.
As the Deputy will appreciate, and as with all consular cases, it would not be appropriate to comment further on the specific details of the case.
14. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to examine a delay with a foreign birth registration (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37259/23]
View answer29. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a foreign birth registration (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37834/23]
View answer34. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of applications for citizenship through the foreign births register in respect of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38068/23]
View answer35. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the situation with an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38076/23]
View answer45. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a foreign birth registration for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38294/23]
View answer53. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of a foreign births application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38750/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 29, 34, 35, 45 and 53 together.
With regard to the specific Foreign Birth Registration applications about which the Deputies have enquired, these applications have been approved. Certificates will issue to the applicants shortly.
15. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport applications from County Carlow that are currently outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37360/23]
View answer26. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs for an update on a matter regarding passport applications (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37583/23]
View answer47. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passport checkers assigned to the processing of online passport applications; if he will provide the number of checkers assigned to the processing of passport express paper applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38558/23]
View answer50. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if additional staffing resources will be assigned to the passport express paper applications to improve the processing times in line with online passport applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38582/23]
View answer51. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the average processing times for passport express applications with all the documentation and the average processing times when additional information is requested will be added to passport express applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38583/23]
View answer57. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the total number of outstanding passport applications on hand, including incomplete applications; and the number on hand for more than three months. [38849/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 26, 47, 50, 51 and 57 together.
The Passport Service is successfully meeting high demand for passports, and has issued over 764,000 passports to date in 2023 and all turnaround times are at their target level. There are no application backlogs, all applications are being processed in the normal way. Over half of all simple adult online renewals are processed within 2 working days.
The Passport Service remains committed to offering a range of application channels, including a paper-based service for citizens who are not eligible or do not wish to use the Passport Online service.
There are currently 450 Passport Service staff working directly on passport applications, of which 120 (26%) are assigned to work on Post Passport and other paper applications. This number does not include staff working in the Passport Service Customer Service Hub, Foreign Birth Registration Unit or working in the various other support services required by the Passport Service. Currently, paper applications make up 10% of the passport applications received by the Passport Service.
There are proportionally more checking staff assigned to paper applications given 26% of passport processing staff are processing 10% of the work. This is because paper applications, by nature, will always be a slower process. It is also not possible with paper applications to differentiate between simple adult renewals and the most complex of first time applications as all applicants use the same form. Therefore, the turnaround time for all paper applications is 8 weeks. Given that 10% of applicants now use the paper service, it is not the priority service for the Passport Service in the context of strategy and resources and there are no current plans to enable both paper and online applications to be processed within the same timeframe. The Passport Service will continue to consider ways in which to enhance this essential service for citizens.
I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the efficiencies of Passport Online, which is by far the quickest way to apply for a passport. It is an award-winning online platform, which places the Irish Passport Service amongst the most innovative in the world. Through Passport Online, citizens also have the option of applying for a passport card, which is valid for travel to most EU countries as well as the UK.
The total number of complete passport applications currently being processed by the Passport Service stands at 34,000. The Passport Service currently has 3,200 applications on hand for 3 months or more. 97% of these are awaiting further documentation from the applicants and the remaining 100 applications require additional time due to complex citizenship entitlement, legal or guardianship issues.
The number of passport applications currently in the Passport Online system from County Carlow are outlined below in tabular form. The table also breaks down the number of applications that are currently being processed by the Passport Service and the number of applications that require further action from the applicant, such as the submission of additional documentation. These applications are not considered outstanding, as they are being processed in line with normal turnaround times.
County - Carlow
|
Total applications in the system |
422 |
|
Passport Service processing |
189 |
|
Further action required by applicant |
233 |
I strongly encourage the Deputies to advise their constituents of the advantages of using the substantially more efficient online service, which is now used by over 90% of applicants worldwide.
16. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a Member of Parliament for Westminster can witness an Irish passport application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37388/23]
View answer17. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs to outline the Passport Office process for confirming identification with a witness; if he will provide clarity on (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37389/23]
View answer18. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if consideration has been given to allowing elected public representatives, (details supplied) namely local councillors, in their capacity as witnesses to Irish passport applications to include their official council provided mobile number as a point of contact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37390/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 17 and 18 together.
The Passport Service takes its responsibility to protect the integrity of the Irish passport very seriously. The Irish passport has a strong international reputation due to the strength of the security features within the passport book and the robust processes involved in its issuance. The Irish passport was recently ranked 3rd in the Henley Global Passport Index as it provides our citizens with visa-free access to 189 countries.
An element of this process is to require all first time and minor applicants to have their identity and, in the case of minors, the consent of the guardians to the issuance of a passport, witnessed. The witnessing process forms a vital element of the identity and consent verification process for the Passport Service. It provides initial assurance that the person in the photograph is the same person submitting the passport application form and that the consent of guardians to a minor's application has been given.
First time adult applicants resident in Ireland must have their identity verification form signed by a member of An Garda Síochána. First time adult applicants living outside the State may choose from a broad range of suitable witnesses to verify their identity. A full list of acceptable witnesses can be found on my Department’s website: How to get your passport application witnessed - Department of Foreign Affairs (dfa.ie). This list names ‘elected public representatives’, which includes local councillors and those elected to the parliament of the United Kingdom.
The witness is required to provide a landline phone number. When processing the application, a Passport Service officer will place a call to the witness to verify the identity of the applicant. Mobile phone numbers are not accepted to ensure that the verification process remains robust and secure. If a Passport Service officer telephones a landline to verify the identity of an applicant and is unable to reach the witness at that time and during the call is offered a mobile number to reach the witness, discretion may be used on whether to contact the witness via the mobile telephone.
Full details on the witnessing process may be found on www.dfa.ie/passports/how-to-get-your-application-witnessed/.
19. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that there does not appear to be a way for Members of the Oireachtas to contact the foreign births register section to make queries on behalf of their constituents; the contact phone number is for general queries but does not allow for specific application queries; if he is aware that there are applications submitted in early 2021 that still have not been dealt with fully; if he will provide an update on one such application (details supplied) and ensure that a pathway for public representatives to receive updates for constituents is provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37392/23]
View answerForeign Birth Registration (FBR) applications are currently being processed within the normal turnaround time of 9 months from receipt of supporting documents. Applications that require further supporting documents will take longer to process.
Foreign Birth Registration, by its nature, is a detailed and complex process, often involving official documentation relating to three generations and issued by several jurisdictions. Such documents take considerable time to validate. A significant proportion of FBR applications are incomplete on initial receipt and require additional supporting documents in order to allow the Passport Service to progress the application. The Passport Service contacts applicants to request required additional documents. Applications that are still with the Passport Service since 2021 may have required a number of contacts by the Passport Service with the applicant in order to ensure the application is correctly completed. Given the complexity of the applications, it can take some time for applicants to submit all of the required documents. These applications will progress to FBR Certificate issue once the applications are fully complete and correct.
My Department has put in place a number of measures that have addressed the volume of FBR applications over the past year and has made significant progress in reducing the processing time for these citizenship applications. The processing time has reduced from 18 months to 2 years in 2022 to under 9 months in 2023. The Passport Service will continue to invest additional resources in the FBR unit with a view to further reducing the processing time by end of this year.
The Passport Service has dedicated agents to deal specifically with a person’s Foreign Birth Registration application query. The contact number for Foreign Birth Registration queries is +353 1 568 3331.
In October 2021, the Passport Service established a phone line to respond to Oireachtas Members' queries on urgent passport cases. The phone line was established during a time of extraordinary demand for the Passport Service as a result of pent up demand following the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting interruptions to the service. It is important to note that this channel does not function as a means of expediting passport applications. In each case raised by an Oireachtas Member, the Passport Service reviews the application in question and provides a status update to the Oireachtas Member. Where the estimated issue-by date has been exceeded the Passport Service will follow up on this internally. Where an applicant requires their passport for a genuine emergency such as a need for urgent medical treatment overseas or the death of a family member abroad, such applications are expedited through the Travel Emergency service. There are currently no plans to extend the service provided to members of the Oireachtas through the Oireachtas Line to cover status update requests on FBR applications given that FBR applications are generally not urgent or subject to emergency situations.
With regard to the specific FBR application about which the Deputy has enquired, the FBR team contacted the applicant on 6 December 2022 requesting further supporting documentation which was required to finalise the application. Further contact was made by the Department in response to a query from the applicant on 15 August 2023. To date the requested documents have yet to be submitted. Once these are received a FBR certificate will be issued. The Passport Service will contact the applicant again to ensure they are aware of what is required to progress their application.
20. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs how a non-governmental person can obtain personal security clearance in Ireland, which is required to undertake work in areas including the European Defence Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37434/23]
View answerOn occasion, my Department issues personnel Security Clearance Certificates to Irish citizens working with EU Institutions where there are clear grounds to do so. A Garda Vetting Form must be completed and submitted with a valid form of identification in respect of each applicant. Once an applicant has satisfied the necessary criteria, a personal Security Clearance Certificate can be issued to them.
