Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I am delighted to have the opportunity to participate in this debate on one of the most important issues facing the country.

I compliment Senator Ryan on selectively quoting a number of commitments which were made. He did not say, and it is in some of the material from which he read, that the timeframe for the legislation was 18 months. We have always said we would have the legislation in place by the end of this year. It will be published next week and, with the co-operation of this House and the Lower House, it is my determination to have it on the Statute Book this year. Since we published the heads of the Bill, there has been widespread consultation and, notwithstanding what appeared in Sunday newspapers, there is no truth in the rumour that the financial resources will not be available to establish the PIAB next year. Without breaching the secrets of the Book of Estimates, which will also be published next week, the resources for the Personal Injuries Assessment Board will be in the Estimates. It is also not true that the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has taken umbrage and decided not to back it.