Séamus Kirk (Louth, Ceann Comhairle)

I will call on the Deputies who tabled questions to the Minister for Foreign Affairs in the order in which they submitted their questions to my office.

Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the plans he has in place to ensure that applications for passports are processed without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will undertake necessary actions to end the impasse at the passport office; if he and high ranking officials in both the Department of Foreign Affairs generally and those with responsibility for the passport office itself will engage in direct dialogue with union spokespersons; if management at the passport office will also address issues within its area of responsibility, including the availability of passport printing machines and management of queues at the office; and if this will be treated as a matter of extreme urgency for the many people who are in need of having their passports renewed for planned trips over the coming days, as well as seeking a fair resolution to the matter for all workers in the passport office

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