asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the total receipts from passports, visas and consular services for the year ending 31 December 1983.

The total receipts from passports, visas and consular services for the year ended 31 December 1983 was £3,461,343.

I appreciate that there is a lucrative return from the Passport Office to the Exchequer but does the Minister consider that the present staff, who provide an excellent service, should be increased so that the service could be streamlined as there have been complaints from the public?

I am surprised to hear the Deputy inferring that there have been complaints about the service the public receive from the Passport Office. If that is so the complaints have not reached my desk. I am always willing to listen to complaints and if the Deputy has such complaints, I should be glad to hear them and I will do something about them.

I appreciate what the Minister said but I am talking about delays in the office.

I am not aware that there are such delays. Occasionally there may be a traffic jam in the office in Molesworth Street at busy times of the year but, generally speaking, I understand that the service is efficient and speedy.