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

The scheme is voluntary and participants can withdraw at any time if they are not satisfied, and can pursue their case through the courts in the normal way. It remains voluntary until the point at which somebody accepts an award. Judge Clarke receives advice from medical experts but she was appointed to act as an independent assessor. That is why I will not attempt to go over her head or overrule her. Her medical advisers include an eminent consultant, an obstetrician, a gynaecologist, an eminent consultant radiologist and an eminent consultant orthopaedic surgeon. I do not know whether the Deputy's claims are correct but I am sure-----

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