Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Taoiseach's open attitude, but this is way beyond complaints. There has been a large number of appeals, 66% of which have been upheld in one way or another. That figure speaks volumes. Second, the administration of this scheme has become abusive in itself. This issue has been raised by me, by my colleagues last week in the Chamber in a Topical Issue debate, and by various Members through parliamentary questions. A Private Members' motion also highlighted the difficulties on the ground. It is not a matter of certain individuals being frustrated. The system is unjust, arbitrary and unfair and it recreates the abuse that was suffered when these applicants were children in the institutions.

The need for an appeals officer has been clearly set out by the appeals officer's report, which gives the number of appeals. In one year 87 appeals were received in the period and 140 were carried over. There has been a carry-over of 34 into this year, along with other appeals. The most basic requirement at this stage is to have a second appeals officer so that people bringing appeals can be dealt with with dignity.

Second, on the right to know that one can appeal, the Taoiseach should at the very least ensure that information is crystal clear. For the third year in a row the appeals officer says that it is not clear.

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