Passport Cards now available

Irish citizens can apply for a new credit card size passport card from today.

It costs €35 and is valid for five years.

Applications can be made online or using an app, that allows the applicant to take a selfie as a passport picture.

The card can be used to travel to 30 countries, EU countries as well as Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

Separately the passport office has said it has contingencies in place to avoid disruption as a result of the postal dispute.

It is urging anyone travelling within ten days to make an emergency appointment with a passport office to secure their documents in time.

Anyone with travel plans more than ten days away can leave passport applications in designated drop boxes and then collect their new passport in person.

Applications can be made here