Neither does selection for priority treatment mean anything less than an examination of the merits of each case. This point is worth stressing because it is an important departure from the implication of, if not necessarily the practice under, the current section 12. The Minister has the power to designate for priority investigation applications relating to safe countries of origin, and to designate those safe countries of origin having regard to the criteria set out at new section 12(4) and following consultation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs.