Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Let me just quote:

Dear [G],

Further to your conversation with your adviser, I am writing to confirm that your application with Caranua is now complete. As you know, we require receipts for all payments that we make to you and I would be grateful if you could return any outstanding receipts to us using the enclosed envelope. We are delighted to have been able to respond to the needs that you presented to us and hope that you will be able to enjoy the benefits of the assistance you have received into the future.

There are a number of difficulties with that letter. First, Caranua is telling the applicant the application is complete. Second, it is not telling him or her that it is a decision that can be appealed and, therefore, the person cannot bring an appeal to the appeals officer. Some people did and the appeals officer said he or she was awfully sorry as that was not a decision or a determination so he or she could do nothing. Does Mr. O'Callaghan understand the significance of those types of letters?