Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I accept that 97% of medical negligence cases handled by the agency are settled prior to going to court or, perhaps, dates being set. In my experience, it is the setting of a date that prompts the settlement. In terms of the 3% and the horrific cases we read about and the families involved in those cases, would it not be more appropriate for the State to deal with these matters more directly and with the admission of liability rather than expending hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of euro on an annual business saving face for individuals? It may be that there is a report stating that individuals did not do anything wrong in accordance with procedure and medical practice, but ultimately the State is still coughing up large sums of money to compensate patients. Where in this equation, from a taxpayers' money perspective or a patient care perspective, is it worthy of the State to pursue individuals through the courts and then finally settle on the steps of the court without admitting liability, which is often what happens? To me, it seems horrific to do this to people. I understand these are complex cases but, putting it mildly, this practice has to stop. There must be a process of mediation before cases get to the courts so that these families do not have to go through that experience, not to mention the public moneys being expended in that process.