Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. Unfortunately, everybody cannot, for very obvious reasons, make an online application. There are exceptions, of course, where alternative arrangements could be made. However, we must deal with the situations we face. I compliment the Tánaiste and his Department on their helpfulness with regard to particular applications. However, I, my colleague, Deputy Colm Burke, and other Members of this House have dealt with applications made as far back as January that have still not been processed for various reasons. That particular issue needs to be dealt with in an effort to find out the cause of the snag. What is holding things up? It cannot be that the two-month processing period applies in every case. There must be some exceptions and it must be possible for an intervention to be made to speed up the process, particularly because the people who have made those paper applications may not have access to the online option because they are not well-versed in its use. They are uneasy about using that online option. Perhaps the Tánaiste will look again at that issue with a view to identifying the particular snags that are causing the problems which are creating further problems and delays down the road.

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