News
Passport delays need to be resolved quickly: Michael Healy Rae
Independent Deputy Michael Healy Rae has called on the Department of Foreign Affairs to move quickly to help expedite the delay in passports which now sees a backlog of some 200,000 passports.
The Kerry TD, questioning the Minister of Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney in the Dáil yesterday (Tuesday), said that he was not critical of the people in the passport office but said they were under severe pressure when it came to the issuing of passports due to the huge numbers of applications.
“Since the 17th March 2022 I have called three times about one [Passport] that is overdue since then and it is with a checker with three weeks, another example is one that is overdue since 4th April 2002. Nothing happening with it. Another one, a family of three children all overdue since the 26th April 2022. I called a number of times about this. They missed their flight and still don’t have passports," he said.
“I’m absolutely, like the same as everyone else, inundated with these queries. We have to do better than we are doing at present. If there is almost 200,000 people waiting, we need to do better in meeting that demand and not cause more stress to people who are doing their best.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs insisted there is no backlog in processing passports and have blamed forms being filled out incorrectly, as almost 200,000 people wait for their delayed travel documents ahead of the holiday season.
A record 1.4 million passport applications are expected this year and many first time applicants are reporting long delays with many unable to get passports ahead of their holidays.
Spa GAA has finalised a deal with Cork-based renewable firm ePower to install two electric vehicle (EV) charging points at its club grounds in Killarney.
The move makes the club one of the very first GAA organisations in County Kerry to provide dedicated, on-site charging infrastructure for drivers.
The dual-socket units will be situated directly within the club’s main car park, offering charging accessibility to members, visiting supporters, and patrons.
The new ePower facilities are designed to support local EV drivers and visitors traveling to the club’s various sporting events throughout the season.
Ukrainian Olympian joins parkrun for annual Chestnut Run
It is not every day an Olympian joins the Killarney parkrun, but participants had exactly that experience last Saturday, when two-time Ukrainian Olympic skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych joined the event at Killarney House and Gardens.
Heraskevych completed the 5km route alongside members of both the local and Ukrainian communities as part of the annual Ukrainian Chestnut Run. The charity tradition originated in Kyiv 33 years ago and has been organised locally by the Killarney Ukrainian community for the past four years.
The athlete previously captured global attention at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan-Cortina with his “Helmet of Memory” tribute to fallen athletes.
His appearance in Killarney was part of a week-long tour of athletic and educational centres across south-west Ireland. He spent Friday night in Tralee ahead of the Saturday morning run. During his stay in the region, Heraskevych visited the MTU Tralee campus to meet with students, researchers, and local representatives to discuss sports diplomacy, sustainability, and inclusive sports.
Spa GAA leads the way with new on-site EV charging stations
Spa GAA has finalised a deal with Cork-based renewable firm ePower to install two electric vehicle (EV) charging points at its club...
Ukrainian Olympian joins parkrun for annual Chestnut Run
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