Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle and the Acting Chairman, Deputy Tom Hayes, for allowing me the opportunity to raise the need for the Minister for Foreign Affairs to review procedures at the Passport Office, with particular reference to the need to cater for the increased public demand, notwithstanding modern security requirements, if he will ensure the redeployment of whatever staff are required to ensure the delivery of a fast, effective and efficient service, if he will take immediate steps to address those issues and if he will make a statement on the matter.

That is not a criticism of the Minister. He inherited the problems to which I refer. Neither is it a criticism of the staff of the Passport Office because the problem has existed for six or seven years and has gradually become worse. It is essential that every Department would address issues that impede progress, economic development and recovery and the delivery of services at this sensitive time.

Countless situations arise where people who have a need for a passport in a hurry cannot get one for various reasons. There may be a need for the redeployment of staff within the system. There is an embargo on recruitment in the public service but that has nothing to do with the problem. We must respond to the current needs that arise, whatever they are.

I urge the Minister to take whatever action is necessary to identify the issues that are causing the problems, logjams and delays. There is a huge degree of frustration among staff in the Passport Office. They constantly feel under attack. That is understandable because the volume of work which is coming their way is creating a problem. The tendency in such situations is for people to go into decline, to resile from the situation and to exacerbate the problem further. It does not make for good job satisfaction and there must be some degree of job satisfaction involved in one's work.

At present, the public requires a service whether it is for business or pleasure. Every Department has in some small way an opportunity to turn the dial, as it were, to tweak and improve the system by identifying the issues that are causing a problem. I ask that it would be done as a matter of urgency at this juncture in the economic situation because unless action is taken we will have continued frustration on the part of the general public, the staff in the Passport Office and continuous erosion of our economic competitiveness as a result. I ask the Minister to take immediate steps to address the issue.

See this speech in context