A review into the use of DNA evidence for applicants looking to secure Irish passports is underway, with the Government making a plan as to how this might work.

Currently, DNA evidence is not routinely used, but it is accepted in exceptional circumstances according to the Department of Foreign affairs.

A researcher putting PCR tubes on the thermal cycler for DNA amplification. Coronavirus PCR test.

Public policy correspondent for the Irish Times Martin Wall told The Pat Kenny Show that, as of now, DNA is only used if an Irish passport applicant has exhausted all other options.

“The applicant has to first verify that they have exhausted all avenues in terms of providing documentary evidence,” he said.

“Presumably, if there’s a shortfall at that point, well, [the Department] can look at the issue of DNA evidence in exceptional circumstances.

“But there are other hoops that have to be jumped through - the Department would want particular standards of testing."

Mr Wall said that the laboritories used for testing DNA would have to meet ISO international stanrdard of accreditation, and would likely have to provide additional documentation.

Expanding this routine

Mr Wall said that this routine could be expanded to cover a broader range of situations in the future.

“I worked for the Irish Times in the United States for a number of years and I certainly would have come across people who believed that they had Irish heritage but may not necessarily be able to point the finger and say exactly where they were from or what the actual history was,” he said.

“So, in circumstances like that, I imagine DNA could come into play in making an application, but this would all have to fall within the existing rules."

Irish passport applications have risen sharply since the Brexit vote.

According to Mr Wall, Irish passports could be very attractive to Americans who want to flee the Trump administration.

“Obviously an Irish passport gives the holder access throughout the EU,” he said.

“So, it has quite considerable benefits to secure an Irish passport.

“You can see why after Brexit – and possibly there may be a Trump effect – that an Irish passport may be an attractive prospect for people from different parts of the world.”

The year before Brexit, there were more than 46,000 Irish passport applications from Great Britain.

In 2018, this figure more than doubled to over 98,500.

Main image: Irish passport application form and some necessary documents to establish eligibility for Irish nationality.