Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Mr. Conor O'Brien might address Deputy McGrath's points on the book of quantum. Are there any statistics or any kind of data on the percentage of times the judges fall within the book of quantum or is it so vague that those kinds of statistics are not available? Somebody told us yesterday that the book of quantum could give anything between €30,000 and €80,000 for a particular type of injury. If that is the case, one judge might give €30,000 for an injury while another gives €80,000 for the same injury yet they will tick the box that says they both fell within the book of quantum. Is the book of quantum so vague that we do not know what individual judges are paying out? I was told anecdotally last week, in connection with employer liability or public liability, that insurance companies decide the settlements outside the courts when they hear which judge is on because one individual pays out a lot more than another in similar situations. While the Injuries Board deals with cases that do not go to court, does it or the actuaries have any understanding of that?