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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: Passport Applications

Q. I noticed recently that my passport will expire shortly. What is the quickest way to renew it?
A The Passport Service processes Passport Online applications as a priority. Applying online is the fastest way of getting your passport. You can track the progress of your passport online. In general, adult renewals when all the information on your passport is the same as your previous passport are processed within 10 working days.
If you are renewing through the Passport Express service, you should allow at least 20 working days for your application to be processed (not including postage times). This period may be extended at certain times of the year due to increased application numbers. It's important to note that if you have already submitted a paper application, you cannot apply online. Updates on services and the latest turnaround times are available on the Passport Service's website www.dfa.ie/passports.
Q. My partner is applying for a passport for the first time. Can this be done online?
A. Passport Online is open to all applicants. However, it is important to note that first time applications are complex and require additional time to process. This is because the Passport Office have to verify all documents submitted and to ensure the identity of the applicant. These applications can take approximately 20 working days to process.
Q. Can I apply for my passport in person at the Passport Office?
It is not recommended to apply directly to the Passport Office for your first passport. The counter service in the Passport Office is designed to accommodate people who need to renew their passports urgently, and don’t have enough time to apply in other ways. You can make your first-time applications using the counter service, but it cannot be processed urgently – it will take at least 20 working days (not including postage times). Applications made in person are more expensive than applying online or through Passport Express.
Q. My sister is living abroad. Can she use the online service when she is outside of Ireland?
You can renew online from anywhere in the world, as long as your previous Irish passport is no more than five years out of date.
Q. How much does it cost to apply for a passport?
Standard 10-year, 34-page passport:
Passport Online - €75 (+ €5 postage if you live outside Ireland)
Passport Express - €80 (+€9.50 fee)
In-person - €95
Large 10-year 66-page passport
Passport Online – €105 ((+ €5 postage if you live outside Ireland)
Passport Express - €110 (+€9.50 fee)
In-person – €125
An Post also offers a 'Family Application' option where up to four passport applications can be enclosed in one envelope. The additional charge for a Family Application is €16.
Q. What happens if I lose my passport or it is stolen?
If you are an Irish citizen living in Ireland and you have lost your Irish passport, or it has been stolen, you must let the Passport Office know immediately and report the loss or theft to the Garda Síochána.
If you lose your passport or it is stolen abroad, you must contact the local police and request a written statement that you have reported the loss of your passport. The Passport Service will not provide you with a new travel document without a police report. In addition you must contact your nearest Irish embassy or consulate. They may be able to give you a replacement passport that will let you finish your trip or an emergency travel document that will get you home.
If you are in a country where there is no Irish representation, you may contact an embassy or consulate of another EU Member State. In some cases, the embassy or consulate of another EU Member State may issue you with an EU Emergency Travel Document (ETD).
Q. What happens if I need to renew my passport in an emergency?
A. In the case of an emergency situation such as the death or serious illness of an immediate family member, or for emergency medical treatment of the applicant, you should contact the Passport Service’s Customer Service Hub. Further information will be requested by the Passport Service including verifiable proof of emergency.
In cases of genuine emergency, the duty officer at the Department of Foreign Affairs can issue an emergency travel document of limited validity. There is a charge of €110 for this out-of-hours emergency service. It is not possible for an emergency travel document to be issued to minors (except in extremely limited circumstances) or first time applicants.
For anyone needing information, advice or have an advocacy issue, you can call a member of the local Citizens Information team in Kerry on 0818 07 7860, they will be happy to assist and make an appointment if necessary. The offices are staffed from Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm. Alternatively you can email on tralee@citinfo.ie or log on to www.citizensinformation.ie for further information.
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Fossa School says ‘bonjour’ to French classes

Fossa National School is giving its pupils a headstart in learning a new language.
The school signed up to Language Sampler scheme as part of the ‘Say Yes to Languages’ initiative in primary schools organised by Post Primary languages Ireland in 2021. This is the school’s third year running the module.
Hélène Olivier-Courtney, the school’s French teacher and director of French For All Killarney School of French, covers ten schools in Kerry over the three terms.
The success of the initiative relies on an all-school approach and the active involvement of class teachers and management.
“The whole staff in Fossa certainly helped make this new journey a special and enjoyable experience for the children as we learnt French through art, songs, games and food tasting! This year, we also organised a catwalk on our last day. Our sixth-class students will have such a head start before secondary school and most importantly will have develop curiosity interest and love for the language,” said Hélène.
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Opinion: Silent majority needs to stand up and call out far-right hate

By Chris Davies
Last Friday’s Dublin Riots should not have come as a surprise to anyone. It has been bubbling under the surface of Irish society for a good number of years now. The actions of a small minority last week was a culmination of years of racism, hatred and misinformation shared online by far-right groups.
Late on Friday night a disturbing WhatsApp voice note was doing the rounds on social media where a far-right actor could clearly be heard encouraging violence on the streets of Dublin.
“’Seven o’clock, be in town. Everyone bally up, tool up…Any foreigner, just kill them”
Watching the Riots unfold on social media brought me back to when I was working in Dublin a number of years back. My morning commute from Skerries to the city centre involved a dart to Connolly Station followed by a short trip on the Luas to the Jervis. Every week, without fail, I would witness at least one racial slur or attack on someone who didn’t fit the narrow minded view of what an Irish person should look, dress or talk like. I don’t know if it is the eerie silence of public transport that seems to amplify the situation, but that’s where I found it to be most common. The abuse was usually perpetrated by a group of youths or someone who was clearly under the influence of drink or drugs. The victims were always of colour, often dressed smartly enough to presume they were on their way, or coming from work. A far cry from the perpetrators who you could tell were roaming aimlessly around the city looking for trouble.
While shameful to admit, I would often look on and watch the abuse unfold, only to spend the rest of my work day thinking about the poor person who was told to “F*&K off back to your own country”. I would sit at my desk questioning why I didn’t step in and say something. There were one or two occasions where I did step in and call it out, but not nearly often enough.
This disgusting behaviour is much more visible in our cities. Since moving back to Killarney I wouldn’t witness as much direct abuse on the streets but working with the Killarney Advertiser I would be tuned in to local news and some of the comments I read on our social platforms are far worse than anything I witnessed during my time in Dublin.
There is a significant group of people in Ireland that I would call the ‘silent majority’. We are not as outspoken on issues we care about. We tend to observe and consume the news quietly, and only speak of our support or disgust on certain issues in close circles, too afraid we might offend someone. The problem with this is that we are leaving these far-right groups unchallenged, to become louder, more aggressive and more hostile as seen last week.
The past week Sinn Fein and the Social Democrats have been busy in the media expressing no confidence in Justice Minister Helen McEntee and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris but I would suggest that there is a large percentage of the Irish population that bears some of the responsibility. We witness racism in our communities and online every day and we need to start speaking up and calling it out.
On the issue of immigration in Killarney, there is no doubt resources are being stretched and our tourism industry is suffering as a result of an influx of immigration. Locals have also raised concerns in relation to the placement of so many male international protection applicants in one setting and we only have to look back on the incident in Hotel Killarney last year where a number of men were involved in a harrowing stabbing incident to see how that played out.
However, being concerned around immigration is not the same as anti-immigration. It is important to raise these issues with local representatives and Kerry TD’s but also to separate ourselves from far-right groups who are only interested in encouraging violence.
The anarchy we witnessed last week should never be the answer and research shows it is completely unnecessary. Harvard University have looked at hundreds of protests over the last century, and found that non-violent campaigns are twice as likely to achieve their goals as violent campaigns and that it only takes around 3.5% of the population actively participating in the protests to ensure serious political change.
Let’s continue to protest peacefully for issues we believe in, but stand up and speak out against people and movements in our community that incite hate and violence.