Knock back on Irish Passport Office in Northern Ireland described as ‘disgraceful’

MEMBERS of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council have expressed disappointment at a response on behalf of Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney TD around establishing an Irish Passport Office in Northern Ireland, with one councillor branding it “dismissive”.

Wrote to Taoiseach

In June the council wrote to An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD highlighting the significant difficulties and delays experienced by those wishing to apply for or renew their Irish passports, and requesting urgent consideration to establishing an Irish Passport Office in Northern Ireland.

A reply dated September 8 was received on behalf of Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney TD, welcoming this feedback and stating: “The Passport Service endeavours to provide high levels of customer satisfaction. Continuing improvements to technology platforms, business processes and customer services will help ensure high levels of customer satisfaction are maintained. It is through feedback the Passport Service can refine and improve existing services.”

No answer

Independent Councillor Emmet Mcaleer said the response didn’t answer the question and proposed replying to this effect.

He added: “We should also contact other councils asking them to lend their support to establishing an Irish Passport office.”

Seconding Sinn Fein’s Councillor Thomas O’reilly voiced his: “Absolute disappointment at this result. Once again, we are being dismissed. The question wasn’t even answered or attempted to be answered.

‘Dismissive’

“It’s the most dismissive response you could possibly get and one in a long line to local government. We are not being taken seriously here. It’s showing contempt for this council.”

He continued: “We need to go back and state in no uncertain terms it is a waste of our time and energy on behalf of our citizens to send letters which are totally ignored.”

Councillor Donal O’cofaigh, CCLA said: “It’s an insulting letter. It’s not that long ago we asked the Irish Government to establish a consultative process to potentially decide the future of the North and South of this island, yet here we’ve got a letter which treats us with contempt.”

Agreeing, Councillor Chris Mccaffrey, Sinn Fein described the reply as: “Disgraceful and I want to encourage those who haven’t already done so to sign the petition demanding an Irish Passport Office in the North. This is a question of nationality. We’ve seen the increase in Irish Passports in the census data and the huge demand for these. Quite frankly it’s discrimination that we’re not having access to these services.”

The proposal passed without dissent.