Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach agus leis an gCeannaire. I reiterate a call, which I referred to during the week but did not get a chance to speak on specifically. Colleagues from across the Chamber referred to the need for statements from the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Simon Coveney, on the Passport Office, the huge increase in demand for passports and the measures the Department will take to respond to that. I have raised this issue consistently since 2016, when I saw it coming down the track, not least with the upsurge post-Brexit in new applications from across the island and, in particular, from Britain. This warrants not just statements but also serious consideration from the Government, given the consistent references to it in this Chamber and the real concern among representatives across the board. The Government must tell us what it is going to do to address this issue.

In the past, as Members who were here pre-pandemic will know, officials from the Passport Office came into the Houses every year to facilitate a worthwhile briefing for Members on the work the office does. I have great admiration for Passport Office staff and none of those who raise these issues are calling into question their dedication and commitment. Over the past weeks and months, however, anyone who has been dealing with these issues will have noticed an acute increase in waiting times, leading to delays, backlogs and concerns. While there are issues around travel that relate to passports, a passport is an important document for a whole range of reasons and it may be needed for many reasons other than travel.

I welcome the momentum that is building among groups on the issue. I encourage all of us to work together to ensure that we do not just tick a box, as welcome as statements would be. I do not say that to be disparaging but we must work together collectively to use the influence of the Seanad to ensure the Government meets demand for passports and invests in and improves Passport Service delivery and infrastructure. One of the best ways it could do that would be to open a passport office in the North where there is such high demand. I thought I would get this call in now while I have the chance.