Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have already signed up to certain measures whereby we have to adhere to conditions and certain measures. We will have to reach a percentage within those timelines. We will then address the remaining figure within the timeframe. If it is the case that a significant number of people come to this country and we are not able to complete the process within the timeframe, we can then apply for a crisis or force majeure situation. That can be assessed. If approved, we can set aside those timelines or extend or change them so that we are able to deal with the increase in the number of people in the system.

The period involved is three months, but if we need to extend that we can do so. The timelines are there to benefit us. We have a percentage that we have to apply those timelines to, but my intention is that the two-month timeline should apply to everybody in respect of the inadmissibility procedure. A three-month period should apply to everyone in the border system and six months for the ordinary process. We have to set ourselves the target. If we are under pressure, there is an option, through these measures, to be able to set those rules aside.