Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome this important legislation. It is timely. When speaking on this Bill we should remember that we are talking about the men and women of An Garda Síochána who protect and serve us all. That is very significant.

The Bill provides for a major reform of the compensation scheme that is currently in operation. I compliment the work undertaken by the Minister, Deputy McEntee, in this area. The key aims of the Bill are to reduce the length of time it takes for Garda compensation claims to be dealt with from the initial application through to award, to ensure settlement and resolution of claims can be reached earlier in the process and to set out clear limits relating to each stage of the process. It also aims to reduce the number of applications proceeding to court by allowing the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, PIAB, to assess quantums in the first instance. This is an important step forward which will, in turn, reduce the legal and administration costs associated with the scheme. Currently, there is an enormous backlog in the High Court and it can take up to four years for a case for Garda compensation to be heard, so this is important reform in that area.

I acknowledge the great work done by members of An Garda Síochána in putting their lives at risk daily. I have enormous admiration for the work An Garda Síochána does in view of the harm ordinary members can face while doing their job. This Bill provides for an important simple method whereby members of An Garda Síochána who are entitled to compensation can have a clear path to it that is not strewn with obstacles or unnecessary expense.

We must remember that members of An Garda Síochána are working on behalf of the State and that they must be able to rely on being compensated because of the work they do, as well as ensuring that gardaí and their families can be compensated by means of a simpler and more effective process.

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