David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

That is helpful on the part of the Minister and I am grateful to him for that additional information that we have managed to tease out.The Minister says it is an administrative practice rather than a legislative requirement. We feel it is appropriate to make a requirement. Even if the Minister made the existing practice a requirement, to provide 21 days notice before it expires, this would go a long way towards meeting our requirements. I am relieved and grateful that he has informed the House of the practice, which is an administrative practice. There is no comeback if it is not followed.

I am tempted to comment further but I will not because of the decencies of the House. Will the Minister consider making it a requirement, which would not impose any further labour on the court? It would largely meet our requirements, particularly if the Minister can say that it would be sent out one month before the expiry. We would be happy to accept that, although I am not sure if I speak for my colleague Senator Craughwell. That seems fair and would give the appellant notice and allow him or her to contact the legal representative, or fire the legal representative and get someone else, and relodge the complaint. I do not see any great difficulty with it because the Minister has said this is already administrative practice. There is no comeback if it is not followed but if it was incorporated into law it would involve establishing in law what is already the practice. I would be happy to accept that if the Minister can examine it on Report Stage.