Ahern forges ahead with fraud-proof passports

A NEW €26 million hi-tech passport system will give Ireland one of the most secure passports in the world, it was claimed yesterday.

Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern said the 10-year and temporary documents would be global leaders in combating identity fraud and forgery.

Mr Ahern opened a centre in Balbriggan yesterday to centralise production and modernise systems and processes for managing applications. It is hoped the facility and automated application service will cut traditional waiting times for the travel documents.