Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. There have been considerable demands for passports to be issued. I welcome the online service, which was introduced recently, but people have told me that the 14-day turnaround when applying via An Post leaves their schedules tight. I appeal to everyone. People are now preparing for their holidays, so the first thing they should do is ensure that their passports are in date. Every constituency office in the country is visited by numerous people who, having already booked their holidays, are now looking for passports because a child or someone else does not have one. It is important that the Passport Service and we as public representatives send out a message so that people avoid finding out at the last moment that they cannot travel on their holidays or for events.

On behalf of Deputy Heydon, I thank the Tánaiste for the answers he has provided.

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