Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

These are technical amendments which deal with the issue of appeals. Amendment No. 56 clarifies that an applicant may withdraw his or her appeal at any time before the tribunal makes its decision. Some of the other amendments in the group are consequential on this amendment. Amendment No. 98 inserts a new section into the Bill relating to the Minister prescribing periods of time within which persons may appeal to the tribunal. This applies to section 21(6) on inadmissible applications, section 22(8) on subsequent applications, section 40(2)(a) dealing with a recommendation that an applicant should not be given a refugee or subsidiary protection declaration and section 42(a) on accelerated appeals. It provides for a variety of timelines in the context of appeals.