TDs express anger over lengthy passport application delays

Addressing his party via Zoom, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar warned that if things do not improve in relation to Covid-19 case numbers, then restrictions can be reviewed.

The Fine Gael leader said there will be a greater use of antigen testing nationwide but it was not a panacea.

There was considerable and widespread anger expressed over lengthy delays in passport applications at the weekly Fine Gael Parliamentary Party meeting.

A host of TDs including former ministers Paul Kehoe, Michael Ring and Sean Kyne voiced their anger at the huge backlog in processing passports for constituents.

Others who voiced concern included Cork North Central TD Colm Burke and Dublin Mid West TD Emer Higgins.

Mr Ring and Mr Kehoe, who have been outspoken critics of the performance of the Government in recent weeks, were most vocal in their criticism at the meeting.

Mr Kehoe, a Wexford TD, reportedly questioned the productivity of passport office staff and whether the fact some of them are working from home has played its part in the delays.

Members were told that because a large number of people have not travelled in two years, there has been a surge in demand caused by out-of-date passports.

However, while there was praise for Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney’s office, there was widespread criticism of the failure to tackle the backlog by officials.

Meanwhile, on Covid-19, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar warned that if things do not improve, then restrictions can be reviewed.

The rising Covid case numbers are worrying and there is evidence of vaccine efficiency waning, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar told a meeting of Fine Gael’s parliamentary party.

Addressing his party via Zoom, Mr Varadkar who has endured a rocky spell as leader, said the Covid situation has deteriorated a lot since June (around 86 cases per 100,000 people and 50 in hospital with 15 in ICU) to now (460 plus cases per 100,000 with 450 in hospital and more than 80 in ICU).

The meeting heard the country’s Covid cases were rising off a high base and while there was some evidence of vaccine waning, the main cause was increased socialisation.

The Fine Gael leader said there will be a greater use of antigen testing nationwide but it was not a panacea.

He said everyone should exercise all precautionary measures and encouraged all people to get vaccinated.

Mr Varadkar said the vast majority in ICU are not vaccinated while half of the patients in hospital are not vaccinated.