An Post dispute puts Passport Office under pressure

The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the number of people queuing for passports in Dublin has doubled due to the postal dispute.

The dispute began on March 19, before which 300 applications in person and 700 by mail were processed each day.

Now that figure has changed to 600 applications being processed in person with only 300 being dealt with by mail.

The Passport Office has extended its opening hours and has even taken on extra staff.

It is also opening on Saturdays to cope with the backlog.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has said contingency plans will have to be put in place if matters deteriorate further.