Over a million passports were issued across Ireland in 2024, with almost 120,000 issued in Northern Ireland.
The Irish government is facing renewed calls to open a much-needed Irish Passport Office north of the border. It comes after new figures show that more than a million passport books and cards were issued across Ireland in 2024, with 117,998 of those being issued in Northern Ireland .
Ireland's Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister, Micheál Martin, has said that after a milestone year for the Passport Service, demand for passports is likely to remain strong, with about 940,000 set to be issued during 2025. The 117,998 of passports issued in NI last year marks an increase on the 2023 figure of 113,588, which was down from the 115,636 issued in 2022. Responding to the 2024 figures, Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh Dáire Hughes said: “It is high time the Irish government engaged positively and prepared to deliver for citizens across the island by opening a much-needed passport office in the north. “It just makes sense to help deal with the demand. As we head into the New Year and people plan their holidays, I would urge them to check if their passports are in date and apply for them in a timely manner.” Looking ahead to 2025, the Tánaiste also encouraged citizens to plan ahead for their travels: “Next year is set to be another busy year for the Passport Service. I urge anyone planning to travel to check their passport’s expiry date now. “If you need to renew or apply for the first time, I strongly recommend using Passport Online – the quickest, easiest, and most cost-effective way to secure your passport.
IRELAND PASSPORTS NORTHERN IRELAND TRAVEL DEMAND
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