Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs is considering changing the designs inside our passports to one highlighting our diverse natural environment.
A consultation was launched last week, with any design change expected in the next few years.
The public is being asked for their input with Fair Seas Ireland suggesting something that represents our oceans.
Read more: Pensioner jailed over 'serious environmental offences' at Kildare landfill site
RED C has launched an online survey on the department’s behalf, which takes around five minutes to complete.
It reads: “The Department of Foreign Affairs is now exploring design options to feature in the next Irish passport, which will be released in the coming years.
“We would like to get the public’s input on choosing aspects of Ireland’s diverse natural environment, particularly our flora and fauna, to help shape a key part of the passport design.”
The list of animals suggested in the survey includes the:
- Peacock Butterfly - Péacóg
- Curlew - Crotach
- Bottlenose Dolphin - Deilf Bholgshrónach
- Fin Whale - Droimeiteach
- Red Squirrel - Ior Rua
- Bumblebee - Bumbóg
- Lapwing - Pilibín
- Common (Viviparou) Lizard - Earc Luachra
- Basking Shark - Liamhán Gréine
- Compass Jellyfish - Smugairle an Chompáis
- Red Fox - Madra Rua
- Irish Hare - Giorria Sléibhe Éireannach
- Sea Urchin - Cuán Mara
- Red Kite - Cúr Rua
- Blue Tit - Meantán Gorm
- Badger - Broc
- Barn Owl - Scréachóg Reilige
- Common Frog - Frog Coiteann
- Pine Marten - Cat Crainn
- Otter - Madra Uisce
- Grey Heron - Corr Ghlas
- Whooper Swan - Eala Ghlórach
- Humpback Whale - Míol Mór Dronnach
- Irish Stoat - Easóg Éireannach
- Swallow - Fáinleog
- Wren - Dreoilín
- Irish Goat - Gabhair Éireannach
- Devil’s Coach Horse Beetle - Deargadaol
- Red Deer - Fia Rua
- Connemara Pony - Capaillín Chonamara
- Goldfinch - Lasair Choille
- Common Pipistrelle Bat - Sciathán Leathair Pipistrelle
- Brent Goose - Cadhan
- Field Mouse - Luch Féir
- Puffin - Puifín
- Atlantic Salmon - Bradán Atlantach
- Common Kingfisher - Cruidín Comónta
- Grey Seal - Rón Glas
- Irish Wolfhound - Cú Faoil
- Long-Eared Owl - Ceann Cait
Some of the animals included on the list are still actively hunted in Ireland, such as the badger, red fox and Irish hare.
We reported on calls earlier this year for an end to the capture of Irish hares for use in hare coursing.
Here are the plants suggested:
- Marsh St. John’s Wort - Luibh an Chiorraithe - Hypericum eleodes
- Meadow buttercup - Fearbán Féir - Ranunculus acris
- Purple Moor Grass - Fionnán - Molinia caerula
- Bee Orchid - Magairlín na mBeach - Ophrys apifera
- Shamrock - Seamróg - Trifolium dubium
- Wood Garlic - Creamh - Allium ursinum
- Western Oak - Dair Ghaelach - Quercus petraea
- Ox-eye daisy - Nóinín Mór - Leucanthemum vulgare
- Bluebell - Coinnle Corra - Hyacinthoides non-scripta
- Water Forget-me-not - Ceotharnach Uisce - Myosotis scorpiodes
- Wild Thyme - Tím Chreige - Thymus polytrichus
- Heather - Fraoch Mór - Calluna vulgaris
- Holly - Cuileann - Ilex europea
- Primrose - Sabhaircín - Primula vulgaris
- Bulrush - Coigeal Na mBan Sí - Typha latifolia
- Gorse - Aiteann - Ulex europaeus
- St Patrick’s Cabbage - Cabáiste An Mhadra Rua - Saxifraga spathularis
- Blackthorn - Draighean - Prunus spinosa
- Atlantic (Irish) Ivy - Eidhneán Atlantach - Hedera hibernica
- Marram Grass - Muiríneach - Ammophila arenaria
There is also an option to suggest flora or fauna not listed.
Click here to take part in the consultation.
