Newly elected TD for Carlow-Kilkenny Peter “Chap” Cleere has advised people to check their passports and to “not be that person”, after the government announced the launch of the Passport Service awareness campaign.
The campaign aims to encourage people to check their passport before making travel plans and to apply for their passport online, in plenty of time before they depart.
In 2024, 92% of all passport applicants used the Passport Online system.
Passport Online is the quickest way for people at home and abroad to apply for their passports, including new applications and first time applications for small children.
Speaking to KCLR News, Deputy Cleere said that “If its a renewal passport, I’ve come across people that have applied online for a renewal, and two days later their passport is in their hand”, though he did note that “It can get a little bit trickier for first time passport applications, so if its a child’s first-time passport, it can take up to eight weeks, so it’s really important that if its a first-time passport, that application is in early.”
People intending to travel can renew their passports at www.Ireland.ie/PassportOnline.
