Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am not saying that. However, there are some errors. There is no question about it that there are some. People should check the Department website.

It is also important to say that we have published estimated processing times. That processing time does not start when you start the application. The processing time for passport applications begins once the correct documents are sent into the Passport Office. It is important that people know that.

In relation to urgent queries, a person who needs to travel for urgent or emergency reasons can get an emergency appointment. There are 400 of them available every week.

There is no question that again presents difficulties. I would love if there were more such appointments, but that would clearly be very time-consuming and very staff-intensive. I think I am in correct in saying first-time applicants cannot avail of the emergency service, which is to be expected. It is difficult to tell people that because it is an inconvenience, but a first-time applicant has to go through the verification process, which is obviously difficult at the last minute. There is also a service for people who have to travel abroad in an emergency, such as urgent medical treatment or the death of a family member abroad. There is no question but that these applications will be expedited and the passport service will make every effort to prioritise passports for these citizens.

I am a big supporter of Members getting the information they require because they are asked by their constituents to find that information and to help them. While this is a very small minority of applications, it is inevitable that when Members get the same type of queries throughout the country, even if these are a sample or subsample of the applications, it is the canary in the coalmine. It shows us what the problems are. It is very important, when Deputies raise these issues, that they are taken very seriously. I take them very seriously because if those issues can be dealt with, it must lead to a more efficient service. We see the same issues being raised time and time again by Deputies and that should point us in the direction of reform. The Minister has increased the number of queries each Member can make to 20 per week.

Measures have been taken. I will be listening very carefully to what Deputies will say, as will the Minister, who has responsibility for the passport service but cannot be in the Chamber today. I have no doubt that the officials in the passport service will also be listening very carefully because everyone comes here with deep experience of how this service works. I ask people to check the validity of their passports, to apply online in plenty of time, and not to make a paper application. There is always a balance to be struck between protecting the integrity of the Irish passport and giving a passport to everyone who is entitled to one, and making sure no one who is not entitled to a passport gets one. It is a highly valuable document. I will listen very carefully to what Deputies will say.

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