Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Thursday, 4 April 2019
Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach
Insurance Costs for Small and Medium Businesses: Discussion
Mr. Neil McDonnell:
Our former chairman, Mr. Coghlan, will provide a good example on where this happens. Where the damage is being done to small businesses is at the lower end of quantum. Whiplash awards are all below €21,000. The Circuit Court jurisdiction is up to €60,000 and, interestingly enough, we see all of the plaintiffs coming to the Circuit Court looking for €60,000. We have to start understanding what is driving the behaviour. They do not want to risk it in the High Court even though the High Court's jurisdiction is unlimited. We have a Circuit Court with a cap for €60,000, where all the action is happening. Very few people go to the High Court, although there are a few in-----
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