Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

With regard the Circuit Court and the 60 days which allows for an appeal, I know this falls outside the remit of the ombudsman because it is up to the individual, the consumer or the provider to take the appeal. The legislation sets out that the Financial Services Ombudsman provides 21 days. The argument put forward is that after going into a quasi-judicial system where many people may not have legal representation and to then make a decision to go to the High Court along with the costs incurred to secure a solicitor, a barrister and to furnish them with the documents and so forth, 21 days is a very short period of time. Does Mr Deering have a view if this can be extended to 60 days or 40 days or a different duration? From his experience does Mr. Deering have any information on the difficulties the limited time, currently provided under statute, may cause individuals?