Mr. Neil McDonnell:

These are the dark arts to which the committee heard Conor Faughnan refer last night. This is now happening off the books. Unlike the UK, we do not see any of the claims data behind this. The Injuries Board functions in a no-costs environment. If one breaks one's little toe and the Injuries Board assesses the award at €15,000, one gets €15,000 in cash and there are no costs. However, if one goes to one's solicitors and takes that on, 95 times out of a hundred, the claim will be settled out of court and there will be a cost element appended.