Davitt calls for passport service to return as backlog at 75,500

Senator Aidan Davitt is calling for the passport service to return as the backlog reaches 75,500. He has raised the issue of the backlog in the service previously in the Seanad.

“It is unacceptable that we are now at a point where we have a backlog of 75,500 passports.

"The passport offices of most of our counterparts are open and providing a reasonable level of service.

"One only has to look at Britain, also at the highest level of lockdown, to see a decent level of passport service being provided.

“As an island nation, passports are required for people to leave this island to travel to college, to work or for medical or emergency reasons.

"Many people need passports to open bank accounts, to apply for driving licences, to rent houses and even for matters as simple as getting a television or phone supplier.

"The passport service needs to return to work so that this backlog can be cleared, and people can be granted their passports,” said the Fianna Fáil senator.