‘Political’ passports should be scrapped

THE recent controversy over the help given by Bertie Ahern to Norman Turner in obtaining a passport has revealed the existence of a separate service operated by TDs for their constituents.

I understand they collect passport documents from constituents and deposit them in a drop box at the Dáil enquiries desk.

They are then collected by courier and taken to the Passport Office where they are processed at a specially designated desk. A number of civil servants are on call to deal with any problems or questions that may arise.

When processed, the passports are collected by the TDs and delivered to favoured constituents. Last year 6,200 such applications were processed. There is no need for this as the Passport Office provides a very efficient service.

In addition to normal service the office operates an express service that guarantees a passport within 10 working days. There is also an emergency service whereby passports can be provided in two or three days.

The only possible reason for the politicians’ expensive and unnecessary service is to provide them with a means of granting a favour to constituents.

This Tammany Hall operation should be discontinued immediately or, alternatively, all citizens should be given access to the service with full details published on the Passport Office website.

Anthony Sheridan

1 Carraig Eoin

Cobh

Co Cork