Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

First, I congratulate the Minister, Deputy Charlie Flanagan, on his reappointment, and the Minister of State, Deputy Joe McHugh, on his appointment to the Department. I have worked with the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, on a few occasions. It is always a pleasure to work with him and also with the Minister of State.

I concur with what my colleague said in complimenting the staff in the passport office. They do an excellent job. In any contact I have with them, they always try to facilitate people who, I still cannot understand, when they have booked their tickets, including flights and hotels, at the last moment check their passports. It is a big issue in many Members' offices as the first port of call is to ring the local Deputy to see what can be done. As the Minister will be aware, on every occasion in the run-up to an election, it is the practice to ask the public to check the register. Can such a campaign be run in this case? I issue a press release at the start of every year asking constituents to check their passports and many of them still do not do so. Can there be such a campaign asking those travelling abroad to check their passports before they book? It is the first thing someone travelling abroad should do.

I note the Minister stated that there is an increase in passport applications. Is much of that from second or third generation Irish outside the jurisdiction? Has there been an increase in applications from the United Kingdom? The Minister might have that information for us as well. He might also state what country, other than the Republic of Ireland, has the most Irish passport holders.

I also note the Minister stated the Department is spending a lot more on security at some embassies. Is that due to intelligence reports that our embassies or staff may be under threat abroad from ISIS or whoever? The Minister might elaborate, if he can, on the embassies where security has been beefed up and for what reason, and the additional cost to the State.

I agree with it. We must protect our civil servants at work abroad representing the country and if there is such a threat, it is important that they are protected.

Finally, the Minister stated there were 250 fatalities abroad among those who went on holidays. The Department is brilliant any time we contact it to give consular service. The staff are on the ball. It means a great deal to a family to get a telephone call from somebody in an embassy in a country where there has been a fatality. As a matter of interest, would the Minister know how many of those 250 did not have travel insurance and what assistance the Department provides to families in such circumstances? Annual travel insurance costs €60 or €70. Most members hold such insurance. It is crucially important. The word should go out from this committee to anybody who is going abroad to ensure he or she takes out travel insurance.