Mr. Lorcan O'Connor:

Let me explain the complex IT system that we are trying to put in place and the reason we are trying to ensure that the system is right from day one. We are in the fortunate position of being a new organisation. Therefore, we do not have to change work practices and have an opportunity to install the right system on day one.

ISI is trying to ensure that when a practitioner advises a debtor and submits an application to us, it is done electronically through an online portal system. Then we access the case, verify it and ask questions, if any, through an automated system that will talk through the ISI's and the practitioner's online account. When we are satisfied that an application has met the necessary conditions contained in the legislation we will electronically pass it to the Courts Service. I understand that it is not common for judges to assess cases in an electronic fashion. We are designing it in such a way that that will happen; in other words, the first time a judge examines a case it will be on his or her computer screen. All of that traffic will move from the courts to the ISI and back through the practitioner. It will not simply be a one-line e-mail in every case. We will deal with scans of documents, detailed application forms, prescribed financial statements and various documents. It is an extremely complex IT system, and it is worth ensuring it is right from day one. There is only one opportunity to set up an organisation. Its important to try to get it right and efficient from day one rather than trying to retrospectively change things if one needs to adopt another approach.