Every year, we have the same issue when it comes to passports and the backlog in the Passport Office as we head into the holiday season. Myself, Martina, Fiona, Jackie and the people in my office are very thankful to the staff of the dedicated TD line who deal with our queries. However, being limited to 20 queries per week is only a drop in the ocean because I could well call more than 20 times per day. The entire process needs to be reviewed. When an application is received in the Passport Office, all the documentation is verified. At this stage in the process, however, why is it not highlighted that there is an error rather than waiting until the estimated date? In my office last week, I had three online applications with an estimated date of 30 April. They issued only last Friday on 17 May despite being highlighted on 1 May.

I thank the Deputy.

None of the three had any alerts on them, but they still went almost three weeks over the date.

Go raibh maith agat.

I am making it quite clear. I am not criticising the people in the Passport Office. They are dedicated and committed.

We are way over time.

I thank the Minister for Foreign Affairs and his staff.

Deputy, we are way over time.

It is just a fair observation that something has gone wrong.

The Taoiseach to respond.

Could we please get it right? It is costing families thousands of euro-----

Respect the Chair.

-----and their holidays

I thank Deputy Healy-Rae for raising this issue. I echo his kind words for the staff in the Passport Office. They work extremely hard, and it is a very busy time of the year. The suggestions and observations the Deputy made are definitely worthy of consideration. I will pass them on to the Minister for Foreign Affairs.