Extend the passport scheme

Sinn Féin's Barry McElduff is gaining a reputation in Omagh as something of a diplomat. Those familiar with his brand of straight talking may find this hard to believe but the title is less for his tactful style than for his work on behalf of the Passport Office in Dublin. McElduff wrote to the Passport Office some two months ago requesting 500 passport application forms and he has had to reorder more already.

Under a current pilot scheme, only some post offices in the North - in Belfast, Derry, Enniskillen and Newry - are able to process Irish passport applications. McElduff, citing the tremendous demand he has encountered, has called on Brian Cowen to see that the scheme is extended throughout the Six Counties.

The pilot scheme has seen the demand for access to passport facilities acknowledged, however belatedly, and now McElduff's initiative has proved the demand is there throughout the North. Looks like it's not only the Tyrone footballers who are on a winner.