Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming here this afternoon to discuss this important issue. It comes to all our offices. I thank Siobhan Byrne and all her staff for the efficient service most of the time. The odd time one comes across an issue that might cause a delay. The longest time we waited in our office was approximately five months, but it was a very complicated situation. Sometimes there are issues when one of the parents is not Irish and the passport service has to make sure everything is in order. However, when one parent is not Irish, it adds to extra delay and the passport service could look at that. The Oireachtas line that has been put in place has been very helpful. The staff in the Minister's office when there are very complicated or real emergency situations have intervened from time to time, as well, for which I thank them.

I advise everybody to apply online where possible, but some older people are not used to online applications and I understand why they put in the paper copy, but they cannot understand when they are wasting the extra time. In terms of the educational aspect being put out there, perhaps one could ask advertising how we get across to people to keep applying online. It is about educating people that they need to apply online.

I have had complicated passports and because the applications were online, they were able to be sorted out, certainly. Overall, our experience has been very positive, but is just the odd passport. I know there always will be, when one hears the volume of passports being applied for in such a short space of time. The emergency application or appointment is mainly in Dublin. Is there hope of getting emergency appointments back open in Cork? Maybe they are open.