Mr. Brian Purcell:

In some instances, one can set target times when one knows there is a relatively straightforward process. If we were to set target times in the cases we are dealing with, there would be a danger that they would be so far out that we would be criticised for setting targets indicating it would take too long to deal with these cases. Alternatively, if we put down tighter target times, we would almost be putting them down in the certain knowledge that we would not be able to meet them. The hope is that when the immigration Bill is brought through, it will go some way towards streamlining the process and enabling quicker delivery. We are not trying to avoid anything or make things easy for ourselves because, as the Deputy knows well from his experience in dealing with these cases, they are so complex that it is difficult to estimate at the beginning how long they will take. As cases progress, invariably and inevitably fresh material begins to arise. Setting targets could create a risk in that they could be too far out or too tight. It is impossible to set targets for the broad range of cases and there can be such significant variation in individual cases.