Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The scheme has been designed to ensure it will be simple and not cumbersome, and will not require further medical examinations, unless absolutely necessary, or people having to testify in court or produce records that may no longer exist. I refer to all the difficulties that may come with a court case. The process is designed to be simple and straightforward. It was very much designed in consultation with Patient Focus and some of the other relevant groups.

I encourage anyone who has had the complications in question to apply for the higher reward. If they do not get it, they will, at the very least, get the lower award. All that is required in this case is proof they underwent the procedure at some point. The assessor is now set up in her offices. There is a website and a telephone number. If anyone wants advice and somebody to talk through the application process, these will be available.

See this speech in context