SINN Féin Councillor Sharon Duddy has said an apparent shortage of Irish passport forms in key Post Offices across the north reinforces the clear need for a Passport Office to be opened in the six counties.
Many Post Offices across the North of Ireland have reported that they have either run out or are running low on Irish passport application forms.
It is blamed on fears over Brexit when Britain crashes out of the EU on March 29 this year.
Said Cllr Duddy: “Last year again saw record breaking numbers of people from the north applying for Irish passports.
“Today it has been reported that there is a drought in passport application forms in Post Offices in a number of locations across the north.
“This increase is no doubt impacted upon by the ever-deepening Brexit crisis. More and more people are claiming their right to Irish and EU citizenship.
“This reinforces the need for the Irish government to invest – opening a Passport Office in the six counties is the practical thing to do in order to meet growing demand and decrease the burden placed on staff.
“It’s time for the government to properly invest in the needs of Irish citizens in the six counties by opening this much-needed service as soon as possible.”
https://my.uplift.ie/petitions/6-county-passport-office
