Derek McDowell (Labour)

It is not. I accept the principle that it is something that could and should be dealt with in the rules. It would not be the first time we set up a process that was intended to be simple and fast. I have in mind the process to the Ombudsman's office, which is intended to be simple and fast. The reality is that it takes a long time in many cases, far longer than originally intended, simply because of the volume of work. It proved to be a successful and popular process which attracted far more cases and claims to be decided on than had been envisaged, or for which there were not the resources with to deal with. It is not difficult to envisage, given the volume of cases we currently have to deal with – the Tánaiste mentioned 27,000 as a likely annual figure – that time limits will slip quickly. That being so, we should include, if not in primary legislation, an obligation in the rules that at least simple things such as the initial notification should be dealt with in a relatively short period.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.