Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I support Deputy Durkan's call for not placing a prohibitive cost on issuing a passport at very short notice. I came across a case last year where a young man was offered an interview abroad at very short notice. He had applied for his passport and it was due to be issued on the day he needed to travel. He contacted the Passport Office but was quoted an exorbitant fee - I cannot recall the exact amount - if it was to be brought forward by a day. We got it sorted through the Minister's office and he did not have to pay. Ability to pay depends on the individual's financial circumstances. If somebody is ill or there is a death in the family people are vulnerable at the time and they do not need additional costs if they can be avoided.