What measures have been implemented to support and assist the management and staff of the Passport Office in dealing with the backlog of applications? What plans can be introduced to avoid recurring delays, given that the enormous delays in recent times have resulted in inconvenience and stress for many applicants?

Now that society is gradually returning to some normality, including in respect of international travel, it is vital that the backlog is cleared as quickly as possible. It is important that supports and systems are put in place to avoid a repeat of long delays, particularly in the run-up to Christmas, when thousands of people are expected to travel home, probably for the first time in two years, to be reunited with family and friends. Now is the time to plan ahead and make the necessary resources available to the P…

I welcome the fact that priority is being given to clearing up the backlog. A great deal of frustration has built up over a period of time due to people's inability to make contact or get information on the progress of their applications. The Passport Office was under extreme pressure and it has done a fantastic job in the circumstances that have prevailed, but customer service must be improved. It needs a human touch. I heard reports from people who simply could not contact the office or get information on the pro…

Every day, we hear about staff shortages across the hospitality, health, haulage, racing and retail sectors, all of which are alarmed by the unfolding situation. Meat factories across Tipperary and the wider country are finding it impossible to fill the jobs that would allow them to continue production. I have been contacted by the managements of ABP Food Group in Cahir and Nenagh and Rosderra Meats and Ashbourne Meat Processors in Roscrea. They are concerned about the shortage of workers. Their problem centres aro…

The aims of this Bill are to introduce structural changes to provide more front-line gardaí. The plan is to increase Garda visibility and provide a wider range of policing services for local communities. In simple terms, this Bill aims to streamline services. Its objective is to facilitate the roll-out of the new Garda operating model as part of the overall reform of An Garda Síochána. It does nothing to increase the number of gardaí. It merely serves the purpose of altering how they carry out their work. We need d…

The appointment of Katherine Zappone was mismanaged from the start. It has damaged the perception of Government competence and left the door open for legitimate criticism. However, Sinn Féin has magnified and exaggerated the issue. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, has explained through the required channels the details of events that occurred. He has admitted that things could, and should, have been done differently. The Minister has apologised for his mistakes. His error of judgment in this instance is not in keeping…

A thriving town centre general practice in Templemore is closing as the HSE has failed to appoint a replacement for the retiring doctor. The proposed closure of this practice, which has 800 patients, is causing distress, fear and inconvenience. Patient-doctor relationships are built on trust and confidence. The family doctor ethos is cherished and respected by every family in Templemore and the district. Medical card patients in Templemore are being transferred to the only other GP practice in the town. Private pat…

The scenario in Templemore is being replicated throughout rural Ireland. The entire system must be examined as a matter of urgency. Attracting GPs to sole practices in rural areas has been a problem for a very long time. The problem is growing and will continue to grow. We must lift the excessive restrictions on qualified doctors from countries outside Europe who are willing to practice in Ireland. Incentives must be put in place to make rural practices more attractive to GPs to avert a pending crisis. As far back …

People are craving a sense of normality and a feeling of freedom. This is evident from the enthusiasm of the majority to be vaccinated. The issuing of digital green certificates will see thousands travel in the coming weeks. However, it will not bring joy to the thousands more who cannot obtain passports. While the April backlog of 83,000 has been reduced, there remains a minimum eight-week turnaround for online applications. Passport Express remains suspended. I am inundated with contacts from people across County…

The rising cost of insurance for all sectors is a major concern. While it is understood that the cost of premiums is related to the level of risk, there seems to be a sweeping view taken when calculating that risk. Practicalities determine there is seldom, if ever, an individual assessment of risk carried out, which results in some businesses being penalised for the failings of others. The Alliance for Insurance Reform recently made a presentation to Department of Finance, which outlined that as many as 35 sectors …

Another issue that has been brought to my attention is ghost brokering. This appears to be gaining prevalence and should be highlighted in this House. The Garda has in the past issued warnings to motorists about ghost brokering, which is an insurance scam to which many people have fallen victim. This scam sees motorists being charged for fake insurance policies which give them the impression they are fully covered when, in reality, no cover has been provided. The vast majority of fraudulent companies offering such …

There was much relief when in-person driver theory testing recommenced on 8 June. However, it now appears that, for many, this was a false dawn. Many young people across County Tipperary have contacted my office in frustration and anger due to unacceptable delays. Applicants who applied in February will not be offered an appointment until October. In one particular case, a young woman from Tipperary who needs to complete her test was given no fewer than seven different dates, ranging from April 2020 to July of this…

One thing is certain, and it is that Ireland needs a new national maternity hospital. This seems to be the only aspect of the current plans that is not shrouded in uncertainty. Plans to provide a modern maternity hospital at Elm Park date back to 2013 and at that time, the project had an estimated cost of €150million. The following years were dominated by disputes over governance of the new hospital and this included a frustratingly long period during which legalities moved at snail's pace as the Sisters of Charity…

I have been contacted by numerous people from Tipperary who are among the 12,000 Irish people currently working in and residing in the United Arab Emirates, UAE. They cannot travel directly home this summer to visit family without undergoing mandatory hotel quarantine. They faced significant local pressure to take the Sinopharm vaccine in order to stay in employment. They have received both doses and they are fully vaccinated. Sinopharm is now recognised by the World Health Organization, WHO, but it does not meet t…

There is currently a detailed and constructive submission with the Department seeking funding under the national development plan, NDP, to ensure the future of residential care at Dean Maxwell Community Nursing Unit, Roscrea. Doubts continue to loom over this valued and cherished facility. I appreciate that the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste have acknowledged the need of Roscrea and that it deserves a residential elderly care unit. Its future is dependent on the successful outcome to the community submission under the …

The United Nations estimates that worldwide demand for food will increase by 60% by 2050. Experts estimate it will take as much innovation in agriculture in the next 40 years as in the preceding 10,000 years to meet the growing demand for food. What is currently anticipated for Ireland is far from being innovative. When farmers from across the country are driven to stage a day of action through fear, worry and uncertainty about their futures, it is something we cannot and must not ignore. When the IFA president say…

For the first time in 15 months there is a sense of optimism in the country. While this optimism is tinged with caution, it also brings with it a sense of anticipation and a feeling of hope. This is particularly so for SME’s across the country. These small and medium enterprises, SMEs, will form the backbone of Ireland’s recovery from the combined impact of the Covid pandemic and Brexit. In every corner of Ireland these businesses have shown a remarkable ability to challenge and overcome the obstacles they have fac…

I thank the Tánaiste. It is important that we get on and expeditiously implement the agreements that are in place. Vodafone recently conducted a study that focused on 500 SMEs in rural and urban areas. The report underlined that 43% of these businesses state that they could not have remained productive without having invested in technology. It also showed that SMEs see the future success of their businesses dependent to a large extent on the use of technology and upskilling staff in basic or enhanced training. At t…

The country released a collective sigh of relief on Friday last as the first real signs of normality began to emerge. Covid is not yet in the rear-view mirror but there is certainly a public feeling that it has moved to the side view. However, we must be cautious and vigilant against the threat of the Indian strain. The road to recovery opens ahead. It is time to revitalise and repair and, in many cases, it is time to rescue and renew. Looking back at where we stood in the first quarter of 2020, Ireland is now a ve…

News that Aer Lingus will permanently close its cabin crew base at Shannon Airport has come as a significant blow to the airport, the midwest region, including County Tipperary, and in particular, the 80 Shannon-based staff who now face redundancy and grave uncertainty. Over the past week, I have heard very genuine personal stories reflecting great hardship and huge anxiety for the future. This announcement is a grave disservice to a loyal, dedicated staff. The staff of Aer Lingus are squeezed in the middle between…