A local TD has expressed "deep concern" over the backlog in processing passport applications.
The Passport Service has issued around 375,000 passports so far this year, but Sinn Féin TD Pauline Tully has received figures that reveal around 112,000 applications are with the Passport Service.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, says he "is confident that any Passport Online backlog can be cleared in six to eight weeks".
However, Deputy Tully says passport service staff are facing long hours and weekend work to deal with the backlog.
She added that the "reality" is that staff numbers are significantly reduced, with only around 500 staff being left to deal with the demand, rather than the usual 650 during peak periods.
Speaking to Shannonside Northern Sound, Deputy Tully called on Minister Coveney to intervene:
