Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will deal with the second question first. There is no change in the appeals process. If a case was successful in the appeals process a year ago, one should have every reason to think the same case would be successful in the appeals process again. There is no change in the appeals process as a result of the communication I have had with the HSE.

As to whether this now means that the application for the medical certificates for this scheme will continue to be processed, the answer is "Yes". The processing of those applications should have recommenced. I am not aware of there being issues regarding the availability of resources to process those applications. I have not heard of any new issues relating to that but if the Deputy is aware of issues relating to appeals, he should let me know. There is no change in the actual process in terms of who is carrying out the evaluation of the applications or in terms of the criteria for the applications being successful. I imagine that those kind of matters will form the subject of the review I mentioned a moment ago. I am very eager to get this review up and running very soon because I get a significant amount of contact about this scheme. I am eager to see if the review can be set up and concluded next year because there are many issues relating to this scheme, some of which were highlighted in the Supreme Court ruling on the matter. I am of the view that for clarity about how the scheme should operate and for those who desire to participate in the scheme, we need to review where it is and see how it can be made as clear, effective and fair as possible. That is why a review is needed but there will be no change in appeals or processing of applications.