John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise an issue in respect of passport applications. My office has been inundated with queries on this, particularly where one or both parents are not Irish citizens but their child is, having being born in the State and having been living her for many years. That child is entitled to his or her Irish passport. One set of parents, originally from India, has been waiting since July last year for a passport for their child. It is unacceptable, particularly when we are coming out of Covid and when people are in good spirits and a good mood and want to get away on holidays. Your passport is such an important document. I ask for a debate in the House. I believe all of us will be inundated in the coming months by people whose passport requests are in the system. There are clearly issues that need to be addressed, not only basic renewals and the first-time applications for children but especially those where one or both parents are not originally from Ireland. It seems as though those applications are being put to one side and being ignored. It is not right, fair or equitable. It needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.