Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I commend the Minister of State, the Tánaiste and the Irish diplomatic team working abroad on the repatriation of Irish people following the onset of Covid-19 and throughout the intervening period. As a people we have always held a special attachment to home and many of our people have returned home during this crisis.

As a new Deputy, I am inspired by the incredible work of the Tánaiste and the Minister of State in response to Brexit and our approach to negotiations. Mayo, as with many other counties, has significant ties with the UK, be it through family, friends, enterprise and aviation links between our two islands. Thankfully, a joint commitment to the common travel area has been reaffirmed and we have good clarity going forward.

As the Minister may be aware, Ireland West Airport Knock has temporarily suspended operations due to Covid-19. I am looking forward to this crucial facility reopening as soon as possible but I should point out that many of the airport's high-volume routes are to the UK.

I mention our airport as, typically, at this time of year, many Teachtaí Dála would experience an influx of passport-related requests. I acknowledge the passport express service is widely available through post offices and the passport online application process is making strong use of modern technology. However, I feel there is added pressure on people in Connacht who may require emergency passport applications due to bereavement or emergencies overseas. For obvious reasons, the passport offices in Dublin and Cork are much quieter this summer compared to other years. Nonetheless, as the number of applicants will pick up in future, I wish to ask the Minister whether any thought has been given to opening a passport office in the western region. Ideally, a new passport office would serve travellers from Ireland West Airport Knock, as well as Shannon Airport.

In addition, as I mentioned, the wider western region has a high reliance on the agriculture and fisheries sector. I also would appreciate it were the Minister of State to provide an update on Brexit and the EU-Mercosur trade agreements. The latter is an issue constantly being brought up by many farmers I speak to and their local representative bodies.

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