(1) In any proceedings relating to a relevant offence in circumstances in which section 10 applies -

(a) a certificate that is signed by an officer of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and stating that a passport was issued by the Minister to a person on a specified date, and

(b) a certificate that is signed by an officer of the Minister and stating that, to the best of the officer’s knowledge and belief, the person has not ceased to be an Irish citizen,

shall be evidence that the person was an Irish citizen on the date on which the relevant offence concerned is alleged to have been committed, unless the contrary is shown.

(2) A document purporting to be a certificate under subsection (1)(a) or (b) is deemed, unless the contrary is shown -

(a) to be such a certificate, and

(b) to have been signed by the person purporting to have signed it.