Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am making the point about individual sectors. The State does not do it but a regulator may. What I meant is that the Government does not do so. We are trying to ensure we have a proper market which is sustainable like it is in other jurisdictions. The UK and continental markets are much more stable than ours. The levels of compensation awards for minor injuries in England and Wales are a fraction of ours.

For example, I received a phone call recently from a young man in his late 20s who plays football. He was injured playing football and out for six weeks with a bit of damage done to his ankle. He was back playing sport after this and within two months he was in a car crash. Again, he was injured and could not play sport again for four weeks. After listening to discussions about exaggerated and fraudulent claims, he rang me. He was feeling guilty. When I asked him if his case was fraudulent, he said it was not. When I asked him if he exaggerated his injuries, again he said he did not. When I asked if his award was within the guidelines, he stated it was. He got €14,500 which was the correct amount of money for an award in the book of quantum. If we have to pay out every time somebody gets an injury on a football field, the damage is being done with the levels of awards, the period in which they are being settled, the issue being dragged out over years, and inconsistencies.