Mr. Tony O'Brien:

Based on an inquiry we have made, we have received data from the State Claims Agency today on the clinical indemnity scheme which is operated by that agency. This does not break down in quite the same way as the Department asked the questions. We asked slightly different questions. Our question was on the number of active claims. Active claims could be ones in which proceedings have issued, inquiries have been received from solicitors or a level of inquiry exists which leads the agency to believe a matter should be treated as an active claim. It is a different question. The answer is "ten". We are also aware of media reports today on another case which is not included here and in which the State Claims Agency was not involved. Media reports relate to a prior case which it is reported was settled by one of the laboratories with a plaintiff.