Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to deal with the concerns of the community in respect of the delays in processing passport applications; if he will give assurances on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23660/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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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 are currently being considered by members of the union. I hope that agreement will allow the Passport Service to return to normal activity as soon as possible.

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.

Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will review the passport application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork who applied via passport express in early May for a passport to travel to the Middle East on the 12 June 2010 for work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23669/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm that the application was approved on 31 May, and the applicant will have the passport well in advance of her travel date.