Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for the update on the safe return of the passport service. I wish staff well and every success in getting back to work safely and clearing the backlog.

He referenced the three offices. There are three offices in specific locations on this island, but there is a large geographical deficit and infrastructural void in terms of this important and much utilised service. I do not question the bona fides of the Passport Office staff and their dedication, but there are competing narratives here. We are told of a first-class service, but we are also hearing from the Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs that staff are under huge stress. If this first-class service is being delivered because workers are under significant stress, we can do much better than that. There is a clear, coherent and justifiable case for an expansion of the Passport Office. I again thank the Minister of State for coming here today to address the matter, but it is not one I will be letting go.