Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit as a bheith linn don phlé seo inniu. 'Sé an fáth a chuirim an cheist ná go bhfuil ráchairt agus feachtasaíocht ollmhór ag dul ar aghaidh uirthi, go háirithe ó Thuaidh.

I thank the Minister of State for taking the time to come to speak to me about my request. I refer to the concerted call made by citizens and those in the North applying for Irish passports for a dedicated office and facility to meet the growing demand. The Minister of State will know that last year over 82,000 passport applications were received from the North and even more from Britain. The increase in the number of applications received from the North was almost one fifth on the number of applications made in 2016. The levels in 2016 were an increase on the numbers of applications made in 2015, while the levels in 2015 were an increase on the numbers of applications made in 2014. There has been a concerted pattern in the past few years.

First-time applicants for Irish passports accounted for almost one half of the requests received last year alone. The call comes not just from Sinn Féin, although we are proud to lead in the institution of the campaign, but also from other political parties in the North. The SDLP agree with us, while Fianna Fáil has indicated that it would like to see something located in the North. The Alliance Party has stated there is merit in looking at the opening of a service. It is about the interest shown in improving infrastructure and service delivery across the country. There are two passport offices. I the opportunity to commend the staff who have worked under immense pressure to deliver a vital and important service across the State. The offices in Cork and Dublin service those parts of the country very well. There has been incremental growth in demand not just from the Six Counties but also the broader north-west region. There is, therefore, merit in the Government considering how it can improve the infrastructure across all 32 counties. When Guy Verhofstadt addressed us a number of months ago, he highlighted the commitment to protect our rights as full Irish and EU citizens. I call on the Government to put its money where its mouth is and to make a practical infrastructural service investment in the northern part of our country. The Taoiseach rightly said that on his watch no longer will Irish citizens in the North feel abandoned. I ask that the Government does not abandon us, that it shows us that the preparations and work are under way as the unwanted and negative impact of Brexit is rolled out, and that the Irish Government remains steadfast and that it is here to stay in terms of citizens' rights in the North. One way to do that, which would certainly be hugely symbolic, would be the opening of a passport office. It would also help immensely with service delivery and the practicalities of the increasing demand for Irish passports from Irish citizens in the North.