Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree entirely with the Deputy's sentiment. We need this scheme. There have been multiple reports on it. It is being worked on. Unfortunately, it was delayed somewhat by Covid. I know the Deputy will appreciate that many of the resources of the Department and the Office of the Chief State Solicitor had to be diverted to requirements arising due to Covid. It is being looked at. We need to go further because there has been a growing medical negligence sector. Many doctors report that they have to practise defensive medicine, which is in nobody's interests. We need to introduce the scheme. I will revert to the Deputy with a note on that. We need to go further.

See this speech in context