Sinn Féin’s Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Seán Crowe TD, is reminding people who are going abroad for holidays this summer to check their passports today and not leave it until the last minute.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“TDs are regularly contacted by panicked constituents who are due to leave the country soon but have only just discovered that their passport is out of date or who have left it too late to renew their passport and it is not due back on time. While we do everything we can to help these constituents it causes a lot of stress and anxiety, and sometimes nothing can done to get the passport completed on time.

“The summer season is always the busiest time for the passport office as many people plan to leave the country for holidays. I am therefore encouraging people to check their passports, as well as the passports of all their family members, to ensure that they are in date. If they need to be renewed you will hopefully have plenty of time to get them renewed before the summer rush.

“People can renew their passport through An Post’s Passport Express service or online at www.dfa.ie/passportonline. A standard Passport which lasts for 10 years costs €80.

“If people are travelling within the EU they can also use the new credit card size Passport Card. It costs €35 and is valid for 5 years or for the length of time left on your Passport. You can apply for the Passport Card online at the same address as above. If you apply for the Passport Card and Passport at the same time there is currently a €10 discount.

“The current turnaround time for a Passport is 16 working days, but as a matter of best practice the passport office recommends that applicants allow six weeks for a passport application to be processed, just in case there are any difficulties with the application.

“If you are travelling within the next three weeks (15 working days) and you need to renew your passport you can make an appointment at the Passport Offices in Dublin and Cork. There are a limited number of appointments per day and proof of travel is required. You can make an appointment at www.passportappointments.ie.

“If you are travelling within the next three days a rapid renewal service by appointment at the Passport Office in Dublin can provide a same-day turnaround. There are a limited number of appointments per day and again proof of travel will be required.

“The Passport Service also offers a free email reminder service to passport holders whose passports are due for renewal and I would urge people to use this service, available at www.eforms.gov.ie/en/reminder/passport.

“So save yourself the stress and anxiety of a last minute rush to get a passport renewed and check your passports today.”

ENDS