17.— (1) If a person to whom a passport is issued believes that the passport has been lost or stolen, he or she shall notify the Minister and an Garda Síochána of the loss or theft as soon as practicable.

(2) Where a person notifies the Minister under subsection (1) that a passport issued to him or her has been lost or stolen, the Minister may—

(a) enquire into the circumstances of the loss or theft and require the person to provide such information as the Minister considers necessary regarding those circumstances, and

(b) subject to this Act and on application in that behalf to him or her in accordance with section 6, issue another passport or an emergency travel certificate, as may be appropriate, to the person.