McGrath Advises on Irish Passports Submissions and Calls for Irish Passport Office.
South Down SDLP MLA Colin McGrath has urged all those applying for an Irish passport to ensure they do so in plenty of time and has called for a Northern Irish passport office.
He said: “In the last number of months there has been a sharp increase in the number of visits to my constituency office to get passport forms. The numbers are absolutely unprecedented. The Irish passport office in Dublin has been inundated with many people from Northern Ireland are applying for an Irish passport.
“As a result this has caused a backlog of applications. I urge all those applying for an Irish passport to make the application in plenty of time to ensure they not only receive the passport but have enough time to complete possible visas etc.
“There is a greater need for a passport office in the North now as so many people are not only applying for Irish passports but are also applying for naturalisation as Irish citizens. As we get ever closer to a possible exit from the EU I think the need for a Northern Irish passport office is greater than ever. Even if only to alleviate the pressures that are currently being faced in the south.
“From a financial perspective it makes sense to have a locally available Passport Office for those who wish to contact them. One recent example was of a constituent who had to pay €14 to make one phone call to the authorities regarding his passport application. I certainly will be making representations about this to ensure that the voice of the people of South Down is heard in this debate,” added Mr McGrath.
