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Ireland unveils new passport card

Xinhua, January 27, 2015 Adjust font size:

Ireland on Monday unveiled its new passport card, which will be accepted for travel within the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA).

The passport card will be available from mid-July 2015 to all Irish citizens who are over 18 years and hold a valid Irish passport. The card will have a maximum validity of five years and will cost 35 euros.

Unveiling the passport card in Dublin, Ireland's Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan said the card will be particularly useful for young people who use their passport booklet as identification, especially on nights out.

"As a father I have often felt concern about the impracticality of the passport booklet as a means of identification for young people on nights out and this new card will be a far more practical option," he said.

"Those travelling within the EU and EEA will also be able to use the passport card and frequent travellers will find this particularly useful if their passport booklet is with an embassy as part of a visa application process. The new card will also provide a useful backup travel document within Europe in the event that someone loses their passport while travelling," he added. Endit