There was a 12 per cent increase in the number of Irish passports issued in 2005.
The total number of passports issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs, through passport offices in Dublin and Cork and by more than 60 overseas missions, exceeded 680,000.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern confirmed that this is the highest number of passports issued ever - almost double the number of passports issued as recently as 1998. He also said biometric passports would be introduced by next October.
The Dublin and Cork offices between them issued more than 575,000 passports, up by over 75,000 on 2004.
"I am particularly happy with the continued success of the Express Passport Service which is now available at over 60 post office branches in Northern Ireland," Mr Ahern said.
By the end of last year around 28,000 passports were processed through this service which, like the Passport Express Service arrangement with An Post in the State, provides a guaranteed 10 working day return service to applicants.
The number of passports issued through this service last year was over 8,000 more than in 2004 and represents over three quarters of applications made by citizens resident in Northern Ireland.
The Minister also commented on the Automated Passport System which is now in operation in the Passport Offices in Ireland and in the overseas missions.
"This is part of a complete modernisation of the systems and processes for managing passport applications and will lead to an improved service to the public. The new Irish passport incorporates the most advanced security features and gives Ireland one of the most modern and secure passports in the world," he said.