It was announced today that the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, Pat Breen, TD will lead a delegation from the Committee when it visits the Passport Office at Balbriggan, County Dublin tomorrow (13th July).
Ireland has two passport offices: Cork City and Dublin City.
There is also and ‘out-of-town’ production facility in Balbriggan, County Dublin.
Members of the Committee, including Cork North Central TD Dara Murphy will be briefed by Passport Office Officials on concerns regarding delays in the Passport Service, growing pressures on the system due to increasing application numbers and the Automatic Passport System (APS). The delegation will also take the opportunity to visit the production facility and view the security features and production process of the Irish e-Passport.
Speaking in advance of the visit, Committee Chairman Pat Breen, TD said; “This is the first time that the Joint Committee has undertaken an off-site visit. This visit presents the Committee with an opportunity to see at first hand the developments that have been made in the production of the Irish e-Passport while also maintaining its high level of security and reputational value. The Committee will also be asking Officials about the current trends in passport applications and how delays in issuing passports can be managed to improve the service for the public.”