Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I congratulate the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, and the Minister of State, Deputy McHugh, and welcome them to the meeting.

On the initiative by the Minister in regard to the travel App, as he will be aware, we all are still celebrating last night's international soccer success. I have had occasion to talk to some of the fans who are in France. Being a supporter of Sligo Rovers, I know there is quite a number of Sligo Rovers supporters still in France. I do not know when they are coming home but I hope they will be out there for another week or two anyhow.

The incentive provided by the Minister is welcome. For people going abroad for this event in France, the travel app is welcome.

In respect of passports, we have had numerous such cases. Travel agents must also have a role to play in this area. I congratulate the Passport Office, which has been very understanding and helpful on numerous occasions under extreme time pressures to accommodate people if at all possible. It is right and proper that we acknowledge the work being done in the Passport Office. The only issue about which I have a reservation is the timeframe. People are led to believe that the passport application, if posted through An Post, will be back within ten or 15 days. I have had numerous complaints concerning this where it takes 20 days or more. It is important that people be aware of that when, as previous speakers have said, they are about to travel and realise, at the last moment, that their passports are out of date. People think that because of the three-day quick turnaround, which is a wonderful facility, that they will be able to get passports. It is important that travel agents and the general public be aware the Passport Office is working flat out and certainly the 15-day turnaround is very difficult to achieve.

Recently I have been dealing with a very tragic case in Sligo involving a young lady who died in Japan. The service provided both by the Minister and his staff in Dublin and the people in Japan has been recognised by the family. The family were impressed by the assistance they received. From the time the family arrived in Japan, they were looked after by the staff there. I put this on record because if it happens there it happens in many other parts of the world. The Minister mentioned that some embassies and consular areas have only one member of staff. I wish to express my appreciation and that of the family for the service provided. There have been many other cases in which I and others have been involved.