Frank O'Rourke (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I do not think so. That is my personal view. As regards claims and payments, as the Acting Chairman said, is it related to one judge awarding a certain amount and another awarding a different amount for a particular accident? My view, while it may be wrong, is that has always been the case. Some 25 years ago, I knew of two families involved in a car accident. They both claimed off their insurance, yet got different sums of money for whiplash injuries. That was a long time ago. If we drill into it, they were nearly justifying it. We should not even be attempting to do that, however.

What is happening now with claims being paid out and differentials in awards by judges, or however it is done, has always been the same traditionally down through the years. That still does not give any reason, excuse or justification for the increases, which should not be accepted. The problem is how does one get accountability and delivery. It is when one employs a consequence and a penalty in any cross-section of life.