A Sligo/Leitrim TD is calling for post offices to be used to shorten the time applicants for a passport have to wait.
Fianna Fail Deputy Marc MacSharry is proposing that a ‘check, validate and send service’ for passport applications be introduced across the post office network, similar to a system that operates in Britain.
Deputy MacSharry says the income would be a badly-needed boost for struggling post offices as well as helping reduce the time it takes to get a passport.
Responding to Deputy MacSharry in the Dail last night, Minister of State Mary Butler outlined the current situation and unprecedented demands on the passport service.
However, Deputy MacSharry says the experience of TDs trying to help people with passport applications is that despite investment and various other measures, the service has got worse.
