Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am very glad to speak on the Civil Liability (Amendment) Bill 2017. This is very important, because over the years we have all seen cases that have dragged on and on and I have always thought that there should be a better system for dealing with certain genuine cases where the HSE has liability and should acknowledge it early on. We see the length of time these things take in the courts and the amount of hardship that families are put through in trying to reach a settlement and an agreement. I have always thought that there could be a better system put in place. I hope that the Civil Liability (Amendment) Bill 2017 will help in that regard. There should be better mechanisms in place. We must think of the injured parties, their parents and their extended family. I support the Bill and I hope for a better way forward because I do not want to see families go through the hardships that they have in the past. There has to be a better way and a better system. I know the Minister of State is very open to that, and I appreciate that.

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