Mr. Brian Purcell:

Yes. The Deputy's point is valid. The length of time that people stay in direct provision is an issue of which we are well aware. When the phenomenon first came into effect at the turn of the century - it seems strange to be saying that - it was believed they would not have to spend as long as they did. The experience we have had, however - and this is reflected in other systems elsewhere - is that the underlying question people ask is whether they can stay there. This question means that even after a determination has been made, they will continue to seek to stay there through every mechanism in place. It does go the full run of every challenge. In cases where decisions are taken that people are not going to stay, it can be a long drawn out process. That, effectively, is the nature of the system. One could possibly deal with cases much more quickly by getting a decision and then people would be out of the country altogether. However, given the nature of the process and the scrupulous level of care that has to be applied, it is almost inevitable.