Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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Have we not put that argument to bed? The research done does not show that the level of awards in recent years has increased anywhere near relative to the increases we have seen in premiums. The Minister of State has referred to a high-awards jurisdiction but that was always the case. Yet, premiums have increased numerous times.

Let us extend the argument. We heard the most recent example from mart managers. A case in point arose when an individual was bitten by a horse. No one could make this up. The mart does not own the horse. An individual was bitten by the horse. The insurance company settled because it was easier for the company to settle. Who picked up the tab? It was the mart that did not own the horse that bit an individual. That is what is going on. That is not about the cost of claims. It is about issues identified over a year ago where there has been settlement of claims in cases that should not have been settled.