THE public survey to gather suggestions for the redesign of Irish passports has been officially launched by Tánaiste Micheál Martin.
The Republic's Department of Foreign Affairs launched the survey on Wednesday, urging people to have their say on the "next generation" of Irish passport books and cards.
The department aims to have the new-look passports in circulation by 2025.
The current passport design was revealed in 2013 and featured a map of the entire island of Ireland for the first time, along with verses in Ulster Scots by Co Antrim poet James Orr.
In 2022, 128,000 applications for Irish passports were made by people north of the border.
Last year also saw a record total of 1,080,000 Irish passports sent out to applicants.
Read more: Irish passports set to get a redesign - and you can have your say
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As part of the public survey, participants are asked to choose from a selection of flora and fauna associated with Ireland which they would like to see included on pages within the new passports.
The list of animals includes the Irish Wolfhound, the puffin, and the field mouse, while the plants include heather, wild thyme, primrose and a shamrock.
The Tánaiste, who is also the Republic's foreign affairs minister, said he was "delighted" to launch the survey.
"The Irish passport is a vital document of the Irish State and it currently ranks fifth in the Henley Global Passport Index," he said.
"This high ranking provides citizens with visa-free access to 189 countries. High quality design is central to maintaining the integrity and reputation of the Irish Passport.
“My department is currently working to identify the design and security aspects of the new passport book. As part of this process, and to encourage people to connect with the next passport book, I invite everyone to share their views in this short survey. The survey provides people with an opportunity to select aspects of Ireland’s diverse natural environment that they would like to see in the new passport book and card design.”
The survey is available on the Gov.ie website.
“With over 557,000 passports issued so far this year, 2023 continues to be a busy year for the Passport Service. I would remind citizens who are planning to travel to check their passport is in date, and if they need to apply for a new passport, to use Passport Online," Mr Martin added.
