Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I welcome and am a great admirer of the work of the committee from time to time, although not on all issues. It is important to have a sense of perspective in this debate. Deputy Jim O'Keeffe's comments on his assessment of the PIAB lack perspective and balance.

As I stated, PIAB deals with cases. As Deputy O'Keeffe knows, cases are settled within two to seven months compared to three or four years under the old system. Costs were reduced to 7% compared to 46% under the old litigation-based system.

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