Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I too would like to pay tribute to Passport Office staff. We all trouble them at times, but they are always very helpful. With regard to passports, it was brought to my attention recently, although it may be incorrect, that if a person wants to have his or her passport application prioritised, an additional charge of €150 is made. I do not know whether that is the case, but I had to deal with the case of a young person who was called for an interview abroad. Fortunately, we were able to get the necessary passport issued without the imposition of that particular penalty. However, if it is correct that such a charge is applicable, I would like to see it reduced. There are times when people need to have their applications prioritised, for example at a time of bereavement or when a person is called abroad for an interview, and such an impediment should not be put in their way. A charge of €150 is a lot of money for a person who is without work.

With regard to services supporting Irish emigrants, as we all know, the cohort of people who may need support and may avail of these services consists mostly of elderly people, be they in Britain or in America. Is the Tánaiste satisfied there is enough of a network outside London - in the other cities in Britain - and in the major centres in the United States to give adequate support to those people who are living in difficult circumstances and who may not have family support? Voluntary groups working with these Irish people abroad very much value the financial support they have received over the years from the Department and they also value the interaction they have with Department officials through the embassy and the Department here.