Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 341: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will address the frustrations of 63,000 Irish citizens whose applications for passports are unprocessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23214/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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At 28 May, 2010 there were 61,185 applications in the system. These arrears have built up due to industrial action in the Passport Service. On 27 May officials of my Department and the CPSU attended a mediation process at the invitation of the Chief Executive of the Labour Relations Commission. On 28 May a proposal was presented by Mr. Mulvey to both sides. The management side have accepted the proposals which will be considered by members of the union over the coming days.

I very much hope that the union membership support the proposals which, if implemented, will enable the recruitment of the additional temporary staff necessary to allow the Passport Service to return as soon as possible to normal operation and, in the meantime, to implement an enhanced system of prioritisation for applicants who need to travel as a matter of urgency.