Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)

What is the Government at when it comes to personal injury awards? For weeks now we have been hearing about a memo that the Minister for justice is bringing to Cabinet. It concerns a review of awards by the Judicial Council which recommended a 17% increase. Initially it was reported that the Minister was going to rubberstamp that increase. This memo was due to go to Cabinet last week. Then it was reported that it was going to go to Cabinet yesterday. Now we hear that it might be next week after it first goes to a Cabinet subcommittee today. Can the Taoiseach tell us what is going on?

I should not need to tell the Taoiseach that a 17% increase in awards would be absolutely disastrous and the fact that the Government is even considering this is reckless. Personal injury awards in Ireland are already much higher than in other countries. Awards here can be more than four times higher than in the UK and still we are hearing that the Government is contemplating jacking them up even further by increasing awards by nearly one fifth. This will have an immediate knock-on effect on insurance premiums, not just for every household but for community groups, sports clubs and small businesses too.

Prices are soaring across the country. Grocery prices, rents, energy and transport costs are all sky rocketing and this is putting a huge strain on households. Wherever possible the Government should be doing everything it can to reduce costs, not further inflate them. A 17% increase in personal injury awards would do just that. It would drive insurance costs even higher at a time when so many people are struggling to get by.

Insurance costs in Ireland are already far too high and are often the reason community events end up getting cancelled. Sports clubs run by volunteers are under huge stress trying to meet constantly rising costs. Costs are an extra burden on households. Motor insurance premiums are now shooting up month after month. Increasing personal injury awards will add further fuel to this inflationary fire. Why is the Government even considering increasing them? Its sole focus should be on getting insurance costs down. Government dithering on this issue is causing huge concern. There are now fears it is delaying a decision until the Dail goes into recess, to try to avoid Dáil scrutiny and questioning on it. Can the Taoiseach level with us and give us a straight answer? Is the Government going to increase personal injury awards by 17%? Will the Taoiseach give a commitment that the Government will not go ahead with this increase?

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