Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy again for raising this important issue. As we all know in this Chamber, passports are an important topic for us in our offices, especially as we approach the Easter and summer holidays. I assure Members of the commitment of the passport service and which I think we all agree is an excellent service. It is in an excellent position to deliver the demand forecasted for the rest of the year. Last week alone, 35,000 passports were issued, which is a staggering amount. In the context of the Deputy's comments, the passport service maintains a very close working relationship with An Garda Síochána. It offers guidance to gardaí on the correct completions required for identity and consent forms. It is important to recognise that the Passport Office will continue this engagement to discuss how we can work together to improve the situation and the service for citizens. I will bring back to the Department the Deputy's point regarding digitisation and the email system.

In addition, we should all take to our social media channels to urge anyone travelling overseas this year, especially families with young children, to check the validity of their passport before booking travel and to apply online in plenty of time and not wait until the last minute. We are all probably guilty of that as citizens and people.

Online passport renewal applications do not require a Garda signature for adults and children. Passport online is the best option for all our citizens. It is the quickest, most convenient and most cost-effective way to apply for a passport.

I thank the Passport Office and the Passport Office staff for the work they do on our behalf. They have a very good system. A couple tweaks could perhaps be made but we are very well served by them.

I will bring back the comments Deputy McGrath made to the Minister, Deputy Harris.

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