Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Amendment Nos. 65 and 66 seek to allow new documentation to be submitted as part of the appeal process and, therefore, add to what may be considered by an appeals board from the documentation available to the original decision maker. It is important to understand that the appeals process is not a new application process. It is an appeal to an independent body that is made available to the applicant where he or she believes that an error may have occurred in the original decision-making process. It is important, therefore, that the appeal board focus strongly on examining the documents that were available to, and informed the decision of, the original decision maker, rather than being weighed under by new documentation. That said, I draw the attention of Senators to section 39(6), which allows the appeal board to seek further information it considers necessary. I am satisfied that the appeals process set out in sections 37 to 40, inclusive, is fair and reasonable and will work and deliver for applicants.