PAY cheques for 40 American members of staff at the US Embassy in Dublin did not arrive yesterday because of the partial shutdown of the US federal government. However, the 100 Irish staff are being paid from other sources. An embassy spokeswoman said US employees would be paid up to December 15th. "After that wages will not be paid," she said, adding they were promised they would be paid "eventually".
The lay off of 280,000 federal workers in Washington has caused problems for US embassies worldwide. The consular section of the Dublin embassy has turned off its phones and an answering machine has been operating. This.is expected to be turned off on Monday. Visas are not being issued or renewed except in emergencies. US citizens will have their passports replaced depending on their need to travel.