Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

That is too unclear in terms of the barometer that is set. The easiest way of giving assurance on the definition of a "serious or significant" error is to give us a ballpark figure of the costs that would be involved.

The second part is to ask whether the Minister has received advice from the Attorney General on Deputy Michael Collins's proposed amendment regarding the word "material". It seems to me that if an actual cost has been incurred then there will be recourse, if necessary. It would also provide assurance for those people who are making claims in the first instance and put an emphasis on those who are dealing with claims to make sure they do not make any errors. If people were told in their day-to-day work that the criteria that would apply to them was that they would not make any serious or significant errors than that is a fair bit of latitude. It is important, therefore, as the Minister said, that we avoid instances reaching the level of the High Court at all. I would be interested to hear whether there is a rationale against using the particular word "material", which to my mind makes more sense from a practical point of view.