The State's hi-tech passport system cost twice as much as its original price tag, the Dáil's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) spending watchdog heard today.
The automated production facility in Balbriggan was estimated by consultants to cost €13.5 million but had soaked up €27 million before it was completed in 2004.
The Department of Foreign Affairs today told the PAC in Leinster House that computer software to provide additional security features in a post-9/11 climate incurred the extra expense.
Secretary general Dermot Gallagher said: "There was no off-the-shelf model. It was uncharted territory for all of us, but we now have one of the most enhanced security passport systems in the world."
Department officials told PAC members that the new system issued a record 670,000 passports in 2005 and can produce an emergency passport in 20 minutes to an Irish citizen stranded abroad.
Mr Gallagher said staff costs were reduced due to the high level of automation process but that extra workers are employed to vet each passport application.
"More people are now involved in the human evaluation and judgement of criteria because of the incidence of fraud," he said.
PAC members were discussing the Comptroller & Auditor General's 2004 report on the Department, which also focused on a tendering process for chauffeur services for dignitaries during the EU presidency in 2004 that did not comply with EU procurement procedures.
Under questioning from PAC members, Mr Gallagher said the Department had learned valuable lessons from the issues highlighted by the C&AG John Purcell.
A new Financial & Budget Control Committee, chaired by Mr Gallagher, now meets fortnightly to review all spending within the department.
PA