Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As mentioned last week, the programme for Government focuses on how we can improve services and be more responsive to citizens. As the Taoiseach may be aware, the turnaround time for applications and renewals for passports at the moment is totally unacceptable.

When I came into the Oireachtas 20 years ago, we had a drop box in Leinster House that empowered Deputies and Senators to facilitate urgent passports for members of the public. Some 20 years later, that box is long gone. It can take months, never mind weeks, particularly for young children and new applications. Indeed, anecdotal evidence suggests that depending on who you know or what mobile telephone numbers you have, the turnaround time can be a little bit better but for the vast majority of us, it is disgraceful in the extreme. The process to become a UN envoy seems clearer to the public than managing to get a passport for a child, to visit a sick relative or to go on a modest holiday.

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