The Government has announced the extension of the scheme that permits the fast processing of Irish passport applications to Britain and Northern Ireland.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, said it will apply on a six-month trial basis at five locations in Northern Ireland - two in Belfast and others in Derry, Newry, Co Down, and Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh - as well as one each in Liverpool and Glasgow.
Mr Cowen said that if the Passport Express service prompted a satisfactory response, it would be extended throughout the United Kingdom.
The new arrangements - agreed by the Government, An Post and the British Royal Mail - allow people seeking passports to obtain application forms and apply through selected post offices and, subject to the application being in order, receive their passport back in 10 working days.
Applicants will pay a small handling charge to the Royal Mail, as well as the relevant passport fee - €35 for a standard 10-year document - and part of the postage expenses.