Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 22 January 2014

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade

Estimates for Public Services 2014
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Revised)
Vote 28 - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Revised)

3:20 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the issue of the emergency passport response, consideration should be given to emergency response for a fee. However, it is important to pitch that fee at the correct level. If a family is going on holiday it can happen that one member of the family has an out-of-date passport. This can result in the person staying at home or the entire family staying at home. The critical issue is the extent of the fee charged. Is should not be prohibitive - it should cover the cost of the emergency passport facility but should not be so high as to close the whole thing down.

On the Irish overseas, I welcome the funding to the GAA. What about rugby, soccer and other Irish bodies abroad? Do they benefit to the same extent or to any extent? Hockey is becoming a very prominent issue.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.