I thank the Minister for his reply. I welcome staff increases and a reduction in the turnaround times for a passport. Many people have been in touch with me regarding passports during my time as a councillor and now as a Deputy. While things can sometimes be very touch and go in respect of whether people can travel on time, I have always found the passport service very accommodating when it can be. Does the Department hire additional staff at peak times of potential demand for passports, such as during Easter break…

With a certain number of passports printed in the Passport Office in Mount Street, Dublin, and the majority processed in the printing facility in Balbriggan, is the Tánaiste considering the possibility of establishing another printing service in the Cork Passport Office? This would greatly benefit those attending the Cork Passport Office rather than the Dublin one and reduce the burden on the other offices in the capital.

This is my first speech in the Chamber. I thank my supporters in Cork East for showing their faith in me, and my family and supporters for believing in me. I wish to bring to the Taoiseach’s attention the R624. Cork County Council is producing an assessment report on the proposed options for the access road to Cobh, the only road access to Great Island. A crash there lately cut off access to the island for over two hours. Belvelly Bridge is over 200 years old and not fit for the traffic volumes using it. Cross Rive…