MORE Irish passports were issued through London than Northern Ireland last year, new figures reveal.
Statistics released yesterday show there were 669,806 Irish passports and 13,538 new passport cards issued in 2015.
The figures reveal the London passport service issued around 13,000 more Irish passports compared with the office in Northern Ireland.
There were 68,416 applications received through London, while the north's office processed 55,059.
The statistics also show the Irish Embassy in Canberra had the highest demand for passports, issuing 6,436.
There was also great demand in New York (5,799), Sydney (3,630), San Francisco (3,430) and in the South African city of Pretoria were there were 3,317 issued.
The two busiest months of 2015 for Irish passports were in July when 85,239 passports were issued, while 80,083 in June.
Irish minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan said it had been "a very busy year" for the passport service with a "record number" issued.
He said there had been a 6.4 per cent increase in the number of passports issued compared with 2014.
"This has also been a special year with the launch of new passport card in October of which I am particularly proud," he said.
"The application process via our website and specially designed app reflects the government's commitment to the expanded provision of online public services."
