A new Department of Foreign Affairs website was unveiled today.
The site, www.dfa.ie, includes an online passport-tracking system that allows users to key in the barcode number on their application form to check the status of their application.
The site also provides the department's travel advice on a country-by-country basis and an option to subscribe to an RSS service for updated information released by the department.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said: "New information technologies offer tremendous potential for promoting Ireland abroad and for improving the delivery of Government services to the Irish people.
"Our redesigned website will inform people in Ireland and abroad about the full range of services provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs."
"It also sets out, in clear terms, details of our policies on the main international issues," the Minister said.
The new site was developed by BT Ireland after an open competition.