Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

No, Deputy. We are correcting something that was illegal for 29 years. A total of 15,000 cases have been assessed already. It is not the case that no work has been done but as I told the House and the Deputy previously, we have gone to tender to get a company with experience in mass claims to assist in the design of the scheme. That process is almost concluded but because of public procurement and timing issues, it was not possible to conclude it earlier. That company is very much involved in assisting us with a view to ensuring the legislation is appropriate for what we are trying to do.

See this speech in context