Mr. Ray O'Leary:

The Deputy asked for an annual scheme and I think this suggestion will be considered by the Minister and Minister of State. Another option is a biennial scheme that would allow time to move things forward. I think predictability is the point more than anything else.

On the issue of validation, the challenge is to ensure that everybody is on the same playing field. If one club comes in early and the invalid element is spotted whereas another club is late for no bad reason and there is no time to spot the invalidation, are they being treated equally? At present they are opened together and compared equally. The challenge of giving feedback is whether it will give somebody an advantage. I know one of the focuses of moving to the online system was to have the information required for a valid application much more in people's face when they make the application. We can bring these points to the Department. The challenge will be how to give people feedback without giving somebody an accidental advantage to have a second bite of the cherry.