Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

It is important that we acknowledge that the staff at the Passport Office were one of the great examples of good public service in recent years and that it has been brought into disrepute by this go-slow. I join the Minister in requesting that the CPSU permits the temporary workers who are currently unemployed to be taken on. It would assist greatly in dealing with the backlog. A great inconvenience is being caused to many people because they cannot get their passports.

Will the Minister clarify how many machines are in operation? Where are they?

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