More Passports, Less Money for Immigration?

Senator Courtenay also reacted to the rise of the number of passports being issued and the amount Government is collecting for them. He points out that with nearly four times the amount of passports being proposed to be created – with the machine readable system being under strain – government expects to collect the same amount of revenue. What’s wrong with that picture? Quite a lot, says Courtenay, who wants a true accounting from the administration.

Eamon Courtenay

Eamon Courtenay, P.U.P. Senator

“When it comes to 2015-2016, two thousand, one hundred passports were given out, were processed; 2016-2017, two thousand five hundred. Now listen to this: 2017-2018, eight thousand three hundred passports gwein out this year! The amazing thing about that is that when they process two thousand one hundred, the revenue: one point four million. 2016-2017, they process two thousand five hundred, revenue: one point two million. 2017-2018, they project to process eight thousand, three hundred passports, and they will get one point two million – huh! Eight thousand three hundred, and get one point two million – huh! You process twenty-five hundred and get one point two [million]; and this year they will process eight thousand three hundred and get the same amount of money – Senator Peyrefitte, something must wrong; must wrong! We say, Mr. President, give true accounting; and we say further, increase the cost of processing these passports, so that we can avoid an increase in taxes of seventy-seven million dollars.”