The Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) is calling on the Department of Foreign Affairs to reopen the Passport Office to process outstanding passport applications in order to avoid a backlog of applications when international travel resumes.
The Passport Office paused much of its operations late last December.
The ITAA said it believes this service is essential and that clearing the backlog now will allow for faster economic recovery in terms of restarting inbound and outbound tourism.
Pat Dawson, CEO of the ITAA said travel agents want to avoid delays when travel resumes.
"There is a pent-up demand for travel; people have been through enough during this year in lockdown, and these passport delays will only be another obstacle in the way of things returning to normal.
"This delay in passport renewals will also further impact our industry, as it will take at least two months to clear the backlog and customers who want to book holidays after the quarantine is lifted will be forced to wait for their passport application to be approved," he said.
Mr Dawson also called on the Government for clear reopening plans for the sector.
"These plans must be put in place now, as they will take time to roll out and we need to be well prepared in order to safely resume international travel.
"The prospect of vaccine passports, certification within EU countries, all of these things must be considered and planned for now, in order to facilitate a safe and smooth return to travel when the immediate threat of Covid-19 has subsided."
The ITAA said while passport applications and renewals can still be made through Passport Online and requests will be processed when the service resumes, the Department of Foreign Affairs has advised against posting supporting documents to Embassies and Consulates at this time.
Passports are still being made available to those who need a passport for travel in a genuine emergency.
