Minister extends passport scheme

A scheme that permits the fast processing of Irish passport applications is to be extended into Britain and Northern Ireland.

The move was announced tonight by Minister for Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowen, and will apply on a six-month trial basis at two locations in Britain – Liverpool and Glasgow – and five in Northern Ireland, two of them in Belfast as well as in Derry, Newry, Co Down, and Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh.