David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister very much. I remember when this section was discussed at the time the Bill was introduced in 2005 but the provision is obscure. I am astounded that 616 cases are currently being processed under this section. That seems to be quite a lot. What I am really interested in is the time it is taking to process those appeals. What is the longest period any case has been sitting there? I have come across a few that have been there for some time. It would be interesting to know how long they are there and whether there could be some impetus into getting faster decisions on such cases. As the Minister said, such cases have been through the initial application, a possible review, an appeal, and now this is a further appeal to another appeals officer based on further information or on the basis that a mistake was made earlier. It would also be interesting to hear how all these stages were triggered. Perhaps the Minister could tell me how long the oldest case has been sitting there.

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