66,000 passport applications still outstanding due to major backlog

Bad news for holiday makers.

If you've yet to sort out you passport for you summer travel adventures, make sure to do so as soon as possible.

A major backlog at Ireland's Passport Office means that some 65,916 applications are outstanding and have yet to be processed.

According to TheJournal.ie, figures released by the Department of Foreign Affairs show there has been a surge in the amount of people applying for Irish passports over the past year.

The increase in numbers is largely thought to be due to the uncertainty around Brexit and Britain's future in the European Union.

The largest increases were seen in the first five months of 2017 when applications rose by a massive 55 per cent.

The outstanding applications are all from applicants in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain, who applied via the new online renewal service.

It is not yet know whether these delays will lead to longer waiting times but the office are advising people to apply at least six weeks before their intended travel date.