Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are primarily talking about people who are making fraudulent claims. There is no doubt that people see whiplash injuries as a soft money-making proposition. As a society and as an Oireachtas we have not challenged this issue at all. We consistently turn a blind eye to the fact that people are scamming in this way and forcing up the cost of insurance. That has profound implications for people, especially young people and rural people who have no choice in the matter. They need a car, but the cost of insurance is excessive.

The Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy D'Arcy, in one of his only recent announcements in the area of insurance, discussed the holding of a referendum to cap awards. The Minister knows as well as I do that that is not likely to happen in the near future. It would be very helpful if he brought forward a judicial council Bill instead of sending out press releases. Such a Bill would establish a council which would give effect to what is recommended in terms of the Judiciary having guidelines and its members being able to educate themselves about awards and to set benchmarks. The idea of having a referendum, which is a major announcement, undermines the whole process and diminishes the credibility of it.

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