East Galway TD Seán Canney has this week urged people to check their passports prior to booking flights, saying the processing time for passport applications can vary.
Deputy Canney says that it is very important to know the time it takes to process a passport and any queries will delay the processing of applications.
He said that first time applications can take 40 working days to process and simple on-line renewals are 10 working days and complex renewals can take 15 working days.
Paper application will also command timelines of eight weeks to process, he said.
“My strong advice is for intending passengers to check their passport to ensure it is in date prior to booking a flight for themselves or their children as there can be huge disappointment if the trip has to be cancelled.
“There is also the financial cost of rebooking the flight and disruption to family holidays and time booked off work.
“Remember do not book unless you and all the family members travelling have a valid in date passport,” said Deputy Canney.
