Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

The circumstances which enabled people to sue successfully have been dealt with, for example, proper protective equipment has been issued. I am delighted to inform Deputy Sherlock that 11 claims per week was the norm in 2002. That figure decreased to four per week in 2003 and it is currently down to one claim per week. The early settlement scheme contributed to it being a lot less expensive than had been originally envisaged. That scheme terminated on 26 July 2002. My best estimate is that the situation will be resolved at a cost of just under €300 million, which certainly is money the Government could be using for other things but which, nevertheless, is far less than some of the original estimates, which ranged from €1 billion to €1.5 billion. I envisage that approximately €300 million will be the total cost of the Army deafness claims.

See this speech in context