Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

I thank the Senator. Demand for passports is increasing. That is happening throughout the country and in the Senator’s region too. Given that Cork Airport, Shannon Airport and Farranfore Airport are in the region, I can appreciate that there are people who want to be able to collect and go straight to the airport, but the message from the passport service is not to rely on an urgent turnaround time and to apply on time. Demand for passports is, as I have said, increasing quite dramatically. Due to the Department's vigilant monitoring of passports and proactive management of resources, the passport service is now in a position to meet the forecasted demand for 2025. The Senator mentioned in her opening remarks that the Tánaiste, Simon Harris, spoke about plans to move the passport service in Cork to a new building. To give an update on that, it does at this point sound like this will be ready in the second half of 2026. That is going to give us an opportunity to expand the footprint in Cork as there is need and indeed demand, as the Senator outlined. That investment shows the Government’s commitment to providing Cork with a world-class passport service. I hope that timeframe is welcome news for the Senator and Councillor Rory Cocking.