Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Deputy on the awards made in certain cases. The Government is committed to ensure we get these measures put in place. As I stated already, it is about the cumulative effect of what we have been putting into place. The Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Act 2019 is important legislation as it encourages people to settle awards out of court. That will mean reduced costs and fewer high awards. As my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy D’Arcy, has said, there is no silver bullet in this matter. The cumulative effect of the 14 recommendations, however, will be important, together with the recommendations from the Personal Injuries Commission report. It wants to include the judicial council and the awards of the Court of Appeal. In many cases, the awards have been halved by the Court of Appeal. All these factors have to be taken into consideration.

The Deputy has pointed out how high insurance costs are in Ireland compared to the UK and how soft tissue injury awards are 4.4 times higher here than for similar injuries in England and Wales.

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