John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. He might be able to state what percentage of passport applications have exceeded the target issue date. He referred to glitches. Yesterday, the phone lines were down. They were down again today. There is a serious problem with the web chat function. I have spoken to people who have, for the past three weeks, tried to talk to people via web chat on a daily basis but cannot get hold of anyone. It is a serious problem. People cannot get clarity. As a last resort, they come to Deputies and ask us to try to make representations to get clarity in the first instance as to the current status of a passport application and whether can be sped up. There are clearly issues.

The Minister mentioned a number of offices. I have received information that there are serious problems in terms of staffing in the Cork passport office. The Minister might provide some statistics on whether there are staffing issues in there, and whether it is fully staffed or there are serious issues.

There are serious problems with passport applications from citizens in the North. There are significant delays. The Minister will be well aware that for the first time, applications for Irish passports have exceeded those for British passports. There are still problems in terms of people getting passports on time and getting clarity on the current status of an application. Even elected public representatives in the North cannot make representations on behalf of applicants. Many areas need to be tightened up to ensure that people do not have to cancel holidays which, unfortunately, is happening at this point.

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