I second Senator Rose Conway-Walsh's proposal that the Minister for Health be brought to the House, with particular reference to the report on valproate, a drug women were taking during pregnancy. It is important that the Minister explain the position because many women have been affected.

I need to raise an important issue that is being raised by many. We have all become involved in what I can only describe as the passport debacle. I have received hundreds of calls, letters and messages about problems encountered in obtaining passports. There are people who have to travel for emergencies who are run ragged in having to travel to Dublin from all corners of the country because there is no printer in Cork.

To get a passport, someone must come to Dublin. Some people applied ten or 12 weeks ago, so it is not as if they are not applying in time. One woman applied on behalf of her entire family ten weeks ago ahead of their first ever trip abroad. Although their first-time applications were all sent together, she has only received two passports to date - one for her husband and the other for one of her twin sons. What procedure was followed to lead to such an outcome?

Why is the Passport Office telling people to apply in good time and use the passport express service only to smash its promise on return times? People are not getting their passports in time. There has been a spike in applications for various reasons, including a growing population, more disposable income and Brexit, but surely we planned for this when we asked the Passport Office to hire more staff for the peak season.

Like many Senators, I travel to Dublin with constituents every year to try to get them the passports to which they are entitled. This happens all year round, not just during the summer. Lately, Senators have been inundated because of the large backlog. I want the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to tell the House exactly why it can take up to 12 weeks, if not more, to get a passport. Is it that the office needs more staff or another printer?

This was dealt with as a Commencement matter today.

Yes.

I know, but it is serious.

Did the Senator not listen to that debate?

No.

If the Senator had, she would not be raising it now.

The Minister needs to attend the House. We have a very-----

The Minister of State, Deputy Halligan, was present.

I was at a meeting of the Joint Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government. We have so many meetings. Bring the Minister of State back in.

The Senator can propose that this be taken as another Commencement matter.

We need to sort this out. We have a system that is failing. People have a constitutional right to a passport.

The Minister of State was in the Chamber.

I want the Minister of State to attend the House.

He was here.

I was at other meetings. I call on the Minister of State to return. This has to do with passports.

Point taken.

I second Senator Bacik's comments on Dublin Honours Magdalenes. It was a fitting tribute to the ladies. I commend everyone involved, particularly the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, whose office facilitated the invitations.

For Senator Murnane O'Connor's information, if someone applies for a passport online, he or she can get it within seven days. My husband did that last week.

That is not true.

It is true.

I have constituents' applications-----

The money went out of our account on 29 May and the passport arrived in the post last Thursday. It was done online.

I have people whose applications for new passports are still in the system.