Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I must reiterate that the schedule I have is the schedule I would like to see occur. I have the full support of Government on this, but we cannot direct the time schedule, unfortunately. The time schedule I have proposed is that the judicial council will be established by the end of this year. The personal injuries committee within the judicial council can be brought together by the Chief Justice, who has the authority to select the seven judges. He can do that by the end of this year. I have also requested that work be allowed to start on the five primary areas of personal injury. The main one is whiplash, followed closely by soft tissue injuries. I have asked that those five areas be recalibrated by the end of this year. I cannot say whether or not this will be delivered but everything I am doing is pushing for it to happen. This will send a very clear signal to the market that the awards will be reduced in line with the five primary areas. That covers about 75% of personal injury claims in the State. I went to London two weeks ago to meet the underwriters to highlight the work we are doing and the support I have, as I said, in both Houses, from my senior Minister, the Taoiseach and Government to implement this for the very reasons both Deputies have highlighted: the areas where people are not just priced out but getting no quote whatsoever, and-----

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