Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate Deputy Darragh O’Brien on his appointment as foreign affairs and trade spokesperson for his party and on his election to the Dáil. I wish him good health and success in that position. I offer him the support and co-operation of my office at all times and trust that we will have a fruitful relationship. I also congratulate Deputy Crowe on his reappointment as spokesperson on foreign affairs and trade for his party and similarly offer him the support and co-operation of my office. I also welcome the appointment of the new Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy McHugh. He has for many years expressed an interest in foreign affairs issues. I wish him every success in his position and the same to Deputy Dara Murphy, the Minister of State with special responsibility for European affairs. I have not had the opportunity of meeting Deputy Gino Kenny. I welcome him to the House and wish him every personal and professional fulfilment in his role as a Member of Dáil Éireann.

The passport express service, operated in partnership with An Post, offers a target turnaround time of 15 working days from posting for correctly completed passport renewal applications. I would like to underline that this is a target turnaround time and not a stated guarantee. First time passport applications take longer as the person's identity and entitlement to citizenship must be established.

As of 23 May, compared with the same period last year, demand is up by 13%, which is exceptional. There were more than 68,200 passport applications being processed on the same date. In the case of passport express renewal applications, which account for approximately 90% of all applications in the State, correctly completed applications are being processed within the target issue date at 13 to 14 working days.

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