Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 48: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will support the case of persons (details supplied). [24943/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Passport applications for the first two named persons were registered with the Passport Office in Balbriggan on 19 May, 2010. On 3 June, the applicant contacted the Passport Service and provided information of imminent travel plans. The applications were subsequently prioritised and passports were issued on 8 June. A record of a current passport application for the third named person can not be traced in the Passport system. A passport application for the fourth and last named person was registered with the Passport Office in Molesworth Street on 19 May, 2010. A passport in respect of this application was issued on 5 June.

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 49: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of backlogged passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24984/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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On 9 June 2010, there were 62,946 applications in the system. It is presently taking up to twenty five working days to process individual applications submitted through the Passport Express Service, the Northern Ireland Passport Express Service and at the counters in the Passport Offices. Applications submitted through ordinary post are taking up to eight weeks to process. In recent days, additional staff have commenced work in the Passport Service and will be working to clear this backlog. While this will take some time, every effort is being made to minimise the inconvenience to the travelling public, including through the operation of a process to prioritise the applications of citizens able to demonstrate proof of travel.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 50: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25001/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The application in question was received in the Passport Office in London on 18 May, 2010 and has now been approved. The passport will be with the applicant in advance of travel.