Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

I thank the Minister for his reply. I note a question that his predecessor answered two years ago to the effect that in the preceding five years the amount for claims was €1.1 million. The figure the Minister has given us today is €2.45 million. This indicates there has been an increase in the settlements although, as the Minister rightly points out, some of the claims settled in more recent times were historical claims and we should not read too much into the figures.

I am interested in the co-operation between the State Claims Agency and the Directorate of Transport and Maintenance. Are there any particular trends emerging regarding the nature of accidents? Has it anything to do with the age of the fleet or the quality of the army vehicles? Is there any evidence or information emerging that would pinpoint the areas that give rise to most accidents?

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