Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My question is on the same subject. This has been a shambles from the beginning because when Setanta Insurance was liquidated in April last year, we were told initially on the record of the House that the MIBI would be responsible. Subsequently, the bureau received legal advice to the contrary and the issue ended up before the courts because another arm of the State took the MIBI to court. The net effect has been that, for almost a year and a half, 1,700 claimants have been left in limbo. The Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform examined this issue and all the relevant parties appeared before us. They all sat around looking at each other and no one had answers. It has been a complete shambles for almost 18 months. The issue has ended up in the courts, which is not satisfactory. At this stage, we should be able to provide some clarity to people who are waiting on outstanding claims as to when the issue will finally be decided and when payments, which have been awarded, will be made.

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