Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

One cannot be more specific than the spokesperson from the State Claims Agency was in media interviews yesterday and the previous day. We have given authority to the State Claims Agency to defend the State's interest in regard to claims brought against the State. Obviously, one has sympathy for the personal circumstances of the individual concerned in this matter. The issue was dealt with in court and a decision was made. The question of whether costs will be pursued against the defendant is one which the spokesperson from the State Claims Agency explained clearly and in detail. He stated that the agency would discuss the matter with the people with whom it discusses these matters in the normal course of events, and that it will take into account the personal circumstances of the individual concerned, as it would in every other case, and make a decision arising from that which is just and fair in all circumstances.

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