Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

An appeal was lodged yesterday at about 2.40 p.m. even though people have suggested that an appeal could have lodged a week ago, but for some reason, that did not happen. I am genuinely perplexed about how all of this has been handled - not by the Department, but just generally. Normally in situations like this, the lead association would approach the Government or a Department with a plan and say it was intending to do this, and then one would get things lined up and people would understand what was required in respect of applications for visas. That is a fairly basic thing. There are basic rules there that apply to everybody in every situation. That has not quite happened on this occasion for some reason, and it has come late in the day in some respects - certainly from my perspective, if I am honest. There is something about this that has me surprised.

In any event, we are open. The appeal has gone in and is being considered by the Department, and the Department will respond as soon as possible.

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