Niall Blaney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House to hear this debate. I commend Sinn Féin on putting forward the motion on passport services on the island. It complements the Fianna Fáil motion brought forward by Senators Wilson and McGreehan not long ago. That is the approach taken by the House on this issue during this term.

I could be petty and say we could do with a passport office in the north west where, in conjunction with Derry, up to half a million people live. The reality is there is a larger city on the east coast, Belfast, which is the second largest city on the island. It should get the recognition from the Government it deserves. When we talk about sharing this island, I believe the Government needs to lead from the front. If we really want to share this island, we have to show people in Northern Ireland that they are not being left on their own. It is something on which the Government need to leads.

I accept the figures the Minister of State has given, but this is about more than figures. The Department of Foreign Affairs needs to lead and show an example. It needs to show the people of Northern Ireland they are as welcome as any other in this State. One could say the whole upper half of the island does not have a passport office. I do not think that is good enough. The upper half of the island has suffered over many years because of the Border. We now need to show an example and move beyond that to show the region is now more accessible and given much greater consideration. In that context, I do not believe the Minister of State or Minister need to look any further. It is now time for action, and I join my colleagues in the House and calling for that action. We would like to see a passport office in the upper half of the island.