SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan has expressed his disappointment that the Department for Foreign Affairs will not consider establishing a passport office in the North West at this time.
It follows calls from Mr Durkan to the Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin in a bid to streamline services for citizens in the North who face additional burdens as part of the application process.
In November 2022, the Irish Passport office issued a record number of passports surpassing one million; a trajectory which Mr Durkan states is likely to continue.
Following correspondence to the Irish Government, the Foyle MLA said: “As we approach the summer months, demand on the passport office is at its peak.
“I know this process can be lengthy and often frustrating particularly for first time applicants from Northern Ireland who are subject to additional checks.
“The SDLP has been calling for a North West based Irish Passport Office for quite some time, which would improve accessibility and make the process easier for everyone involved but specifically for citizens in the North.
“Following correspondence with the Irish government, they’ve confirmed that over 43,000 Irish passports were issued across Northern Ireland in the first six months of 2023.
“Which I feel is testament to the increasing demand and growing need for an additional physical office. The Department for Foreign Affairs are reluctant to open an additional passport office but have committed to improving services.
“However, there are clear issues around delays with children’s passport and a possible discriminatory policy which sees single mothers here face additional barriers securing Irish passports for their child.
“It continues to be the case that applicants here are being advised to travel to Dublin in order to collect their new passports and documentation.
“This sets citizens from the North at further disadvantage, complicating access to important documents to which they are entitled.
“A passport office based in the North is a common sense solution which would alleviate pressures facing the Passport Service in Dublin who are fielding on average 3,000 queries a day.
“I’ll continue working to see existing issues resolved and the overall process streamlined.”
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