Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

I must state for the record that I was referring to 17 September, not 16 September.

I cannot accept this amendment because the Government believes sufficient time has been given for applications and every reasonable effort has been made to alert potential applicants to the arrangements of the redress board. A three-year period for the receipt of applications was originally provided for in the legislation and late applications can be considered in exceptional circumstances.

We have now reached a point where the bulk of the original applications through the redress board has been dealt with. While the board continues to receive late applications, it is necessary to provide a cut-off for the receipt of late applications so that the redress board can be wound down. Over 15,000 applications have been received from over 30 countries. Extensive advertising campaigns have been undertaken and the redress board will again be placing further press advertisements in advance of the 17 September deadline so as to encourage people to submit applications.

We need to prepare now for the board's closure. This Bill will set a date after which it will no longer be possible to receive applications. Closure of the board will be needed at some point and I believe now is the right time. Inevitably, the publicity surrounding abuse in the dioceses of Cloyne and Donegal will highlight the newsworthiness of this particular point. I hope the media makes a connection between this legislation and what has sadly been revealed in the Cloyne report.