All new Irish passports will be issued in biometric form following yesterday's launch of the new ePassport.
People will still be able to use their current passports but within 10 years they will all have been replaced with biometric passports.
The ePassport looks like the traditional passport but has a microchip which stores biographical information. The microchip also contains a digital image of a photograph of the holder. Up to now, the checking of passports relied solely on visual identification but now this can be cross-checked with the data stored on the microchip.
The ePassport also has a number of security features designed to protect the identity of the bearer and to guard against the skimming of information on the microchip.
The passport will cost the same - €75 for a standard 10-year passport, €15 for a three-year passport for children under three and €25 for a five-year passport for children aged three to 17 years.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern presented the first of the new ePassports to members of the public at his offices in Dublin yesterday.
He pointed out that under the US visa-waiver programme participating countries have to move to full production of biometric passports before October 26th. Last year Irish citizens made some 500,000 visits to the US, making Ireland one of the top 10 countries for visits to the US.
He said the ePassport project had finished 10 days before its deadline and within budget.
"The cost of introducing the ePassport was estimated at €8.8 million at the outset and it has been completed for €6.1 million.
"This Government has invested heavily in this area, €34 million over the last five years, and this investment has paid off. We now produce among the most modern and secure travel documents in the world."
Some 700,000 Irish passports were issued worldwide last year, a doubling of the number 10 years ago.
ePassports Q&A
Why do we need biometric passports?
Under the US visa-waiver scheme participating countries must ensure that all passports issued after October 26th are ePassports as part of a plan to enhance security measures.
How does it work? A chip is embedded in the photo page. This stores the digital facial image and the personal details of the passport holder for electronic reading at border controls.
Does the passport look different? It looks similar to the traditional passport but has a gold ePassport symbol on the front cover.
Do I have to change my current passport? No, but when your current passport is due for renewal it will be replaced with an ePassport.
Has the application process changed? Photographs submitted with the application must meet guidelines based on internationally-accepted standards. See www.passport.ie for more information.
Is this going to cost me more? No, the passport charge (€75 for a standard 10-year passport) remains the same. People over 65 are entitled to a free passport.
