FIANNA FÁIL SENATOR Mary White has denied reports that she told a security officer in the Passport Office in Dublin that he was “lucky to have a job”.

Sarah McInerney’s report in The Sunday Times (subscription required) carries a first hand account of the alleged incident. White reportedly went to the office to inquire about a friend’s passport application, and was unhappy when she was told she was not privy to the information.

She then entered the security office near the entrance to the building to retrieve a telephone number, but was asked to step away. It’s believed she then told a member of the security staff that he was “lucky to have a job”.

White has told The Sunday Times that she doesn’t remember what she said, but that she doesn’t “go around insulting people”. She says she was invited into the security office by another member of staff.

It’s understood that TDs have been told by the Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore that the system whereby deputies and senators could fast-track passport applications is no longer available. The service was withdrawn by public sector workers last year during industrial action.

Read Sarah McInerney’s full story in the Sunday Times (subscription required): Passport Office ejects senator