Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent)
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115. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will review the fees charged and the timeframe involved for processing of passport applications in respect of applications submitted through ordinary post in comparison with those submitted through passport express; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44423/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Since 30 June this year it has no longer been possible for citizens residing on the island of Ireland to submit passport applications by regular or registered post. All such postal applications must now be submitted through the passport express service operated on behalf of the Passport Service by An Post and by the Post Office in Northern Ireland. This service, which involves a pre-checking facility designed to reduce the possibility for errors in the application, has a ten working day turnaround. For citizens resident on the island of Ireland, this is the cheapest and most efficient means of processing their passport application. Passport applications received from addresses on the island of Ireland by regular and registered post are returned to the applicant with the advice that they be resubmitted through the passport express service.

I announced this measure in this House in May of this year as part of program by the Passport Service to improve the quality of service to the public. Information on this and other changes to application procedures was advertised in the national press, carried on many radio stations, highlighted on the Passport Service website and through social media channels.