Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)

Nobody questions the validity of the scheme or its success. We all agree that Government policy has been sound in this regard. What we are asking for is some degree of discretion. There should be an extension beyond 14 October to allow these people to make their applications. There must be some degree of flexibility on this issue. As has already been said, those people who were on the point of making their applications had a reasonable expectation, because they had gone through the process of applying, that they would be within the timeframe. The Minister has carried out a miserly and mean-spirited act towards those who set out in good faith to participate in the scheme. It is a sad indictment of current Government policy.

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