Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I extend a warm welcome to the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Harney. I congratulate her for bringing the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill 2003 so speedily to the House. I am confident it will be given a speedy passage. She has the full support of the Government side of this House.

The Tánaiste is known as a courageous politician. This is evident in that she has taken on both the Law Society and the Bar Council at the same time. Both societies have been in existence since Cain killed Abel, but they will continue to exist because many lawyers want to work in areas besides personal injuries. People going before the proposed Personal Injuries Assessment Board can consult solicitors and many will when completing the board's application forms. Lawyers can arrange a fee for this work. The Bill has the potential of reducing insurance costs for consumers. There has been a 300% increase in public liability premia over the last several years. Many industries, particularly small-sized ones such as the hotel industry, are under threat. The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Harney, has particular responsibility in this regard. She set out as one of her main political priorities in this Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats coalition to bring down the costs of insurance. This was a brave commitment to make. It is one that she could easily fail in, but I believe she has taken the proper course of action in tackling this matter.