Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ms Penollar mentioned background noise in terms of what the Department is trying to achieve to get the message out and engage with local media and newspapers. Deputy Cassells will be delighted to hear that given his former profession. It is vital that this is done. It is not simply that it would reduce what we have to do – I do not have a problem doing the work – but at the end of the day the Department is providing the service and we might aid the service.

One important point is that I have to do everything on email. I have no wish to be taking up the time of personnel in the Passport Office but I would like to be able to telephone them on a dedicated Oireachtas line, as is provided in various other Departments. That is a necessity. Maybe it should have limited opening hours but I believe it would aid the process. If I sent an email about Austin Gormley's passport application, I might get a response. I would get an acknowledgement but I might not get a response until close of business the following day. That is not really a big issue, but we have all highlighted cases where it is critical and crucial that we can get in contact. Deputy Murphy mentioned the person who missed the wedding. I have no wish to be in a queue, frankly. I imagine the officials understand that my office deals with a great many issues. That is something to bear in mind. If the webchat can be promoted as a mechanism available to the public, it would be fantastic.

I am keen to go back to the total cost of embassies. It would be helpful for us to be provided with the document that the Chairman has already requested, that is to say, a document with a breakdown of rent versus buy. We have discussed the matter previously, especially in the crash period between 2011 and 2013, when we were closing embassies among other steps. The cost of the embassy in Japan was highlighted because it was the most expensive real estate in the world. Anyway, there is a point at which the State must make a decision on whether it is far better to buy than rent when we have escalating costs and fluctuations in the property market. We could even use the analogy of the Irish property market - it is a good example. If a person bought property in 2008 he is lumbered with it for life, whereas if he bought in 2012 he would have paid less than half the price or even less again depending on the property. One suggested policy direction for the Department to take, in consultation with the Minister, is to upscale the number of purchases that we should pursue rather than a policy of rental. This is especially relevant in the context of the six new embassies – which are very welcome – that are to be opened next year. Some of these are additional facilities in countries where we already have a base. However, in other cases there is no base. The officials referenced Ukraine, which is strategic for us. Deputy Cassells and I work on the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. The Russia-Ukraine relationship is important and so on. I spotted the Ukrainian ambassador wandering around the halls of Leinster House first thing this morning. The constant interaction with those two countries is important. The price of property in Kiev is probably only a drop in the ocean compared to Tokyo but the idea should be pursued as far as possible. The final point I had intended making has been covered.