Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I move amendment No. 1 to amendment No. 15:

In paragraph (b)(ii), in the proposed new subsection (4A)(b), to delete "5 working days" and substitute "2 months".

The time limit in the amendment is unreasonable. I accept the Minister's point that it is necessary to promote efficiency and prevent the waste of resources. We need quicker processing of applications for the benefit of asylum seekers, but a five working day time limit is too tight. It does not allow for any latitude. We propose a time limit of two months. It is more reasonable. The Minister says asylum seekers will have the means to have an address, but that will not always be the position and we should provide for such situations. Two months is the right time limit.