Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for being late. I have read the Minister's statement and wish to raise two points. I am sure the Department was aware that there would be an increase in passport applications. I heard on the media this morning that the Minister intends to employ additional staff in the passport service, although that is not specifically alluded to in his address. How many extra staff does he intend to employ? Will he be re-employing those who worked there temporarily over the summer and who are already trained? There is a huge issue with passports at the moment. The Minister and the Minister of State will know that, as I have been plaguing them about it. It is a serious matter. What is the Department doing about the customer service element in advising people of the revised lead times? That is also a big issue.

How many staff is the Minister going to employ and how soon does he hope to have them in place? My colleague, Senator Robbie Gallagher, has written to the Minister about opening a sub-office in the Cavan-Monaghan area, so are there any plans to open another passport office?

Sub-head A6 concerns North-South, Anglo-Irish co-operation, but there is no increase in funding between 2016 and 2017. Given that the UK is in the process of exiting the EU and given the political situation in the North, is the Minister satisfied that there is no increase in funding in that area? I would have thought that is something that will keep the Department particularly busy over the coming year.