Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is important that we recognise that there is a problem. I raised this matter with the Minister on 15 December 2016. I welcome the fact that additional resources are in place but permanent additional resources are needed. I would support the Minister in his efforts to do that because if the turnaround time for passport renewals is 15 working days, that is not the evidence I have available to me. While in most instances that is the case, in others it is not.

The online application will very much assist in this. Will the Minister update the House on when he hopes to roll out the facility? There are issues relating to incomplete applications that elongate the process. I agree with the Minister completely in this regard. However, this is causing stress for families and individuals who have planned to travel but who then realise they cannot get a passport in time. This is a major issue as well. The easier and the more seamless we make the process, the better for everyone.

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