Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I totally reject the idea that I am almost entirely wrong again. A child in kindergarten could see what is going on. I will not take a lecture on this from the Minister of State. Hotels, nightclubs, big bars and playgrounds have seen their premiums increase by 300%, 400% and 500%. Representatives of those groups have appeared in these Houses, lobbying us. Fine Gael has been in Government for nine years and insurance payouts are still 4.4 times higher than in England. The Minister of State suggested that it is not our duty. It is our duty, as legislators, to change the legislation and allow the Judiciary to implement changes within a certain time. It cannot be allowed to dilly-dally and delay matters. Businesses are disappearing like snow from a ditch. They are being destroyed. People start at a young age, get business loans and put all their might and main into it, only to be forced out of business by fraudulent claims which are supported by a culture in the Law Library and the Four Courts. It is sickening. I have been the victim of such claims in my own business. Days can be spent in court waiting for something to happen, only to be told eventually that the matter has been settled on the steps of the court. There are hundreds of people in court on occasion; it is like a bloody Munster final. I was in Waterford court on one occasion, and it is a farce. Everyone is in the courthouse on the same day and it is a total waste of money. Certain people are getting paid because the clock ticks on. It is despicable.

The problem with this House is that there are too many vested interests here that will not allow change to happen. It is time for Fine Gael to do something about this beyond talking, delivering pious platitudes and promising to rush legislation through the House. The Government's legislation will get support from this side of the House because most of my colleagues are self-employed. The latest legislation in the House, the Judicial Appointments Commission Bill, has been held up for a long time in the Seanad and there is not a word about it in the media. When we held up the shameful Road Traffic Act introduced by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, we were pilloried in the media and described as backward and gombeen men. There is a Dublin 4 mentality at play here, with a "screw everyone outside the Pale" mentality. It is time for action rather than words. The report the Minister of State mentioned has 70 recommendations when seven or even three would have been enough. We need fair compensation for reasonable injuries. The legal aspect should be cut out and a transparent system put in place which will provide support to people if they get injured and those with serious injuries are paid.

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