Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 183: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there is currently a backlog of passport application in the Passport Office in Dublin; the conditions under which emergency passports are currently being granted or refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29857/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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There are approximately 35,000 passport applications in the system at present. Of these, 25,000 are applications received through the Passport Express service which attracts a ten day guaranteed turnaround. The other 10,000 are a mixture of urgent counter applications, postal applications, applications from Northern Ireland and applications from our missions around the world. I am pleased to confirm that all correctly completed applications submitted through the Passport Express service, used by the vast majority of passport applicants within the State, are being processed within the ten day guarantee. Emergency passports are issued only in circumstances where the Passport Service is satisfied, on the basis of the application and supporting evidence, that:

· the proposed journey is related to the death or serious injury or illness abroad of a close relative or a medical emergency relating to the applicant him/herself; and

· the presence of the applicant at the foreign location in connection with such an unexpected event is necessary or highly desirable; and

· the need to travel has arisen at short notice.

The Passport Service advises that citizens check the validity of their passports and submit for renewal through the Passport Express service where a guaranteed ten day turnaround will be provided.