John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I agree with Senator McDowell's comments. The Tánaiste has not properly replied to his crucial point on levelling the playing field. While we all accept the need to reduce bureaucracy and speed up the process, the great weight of professional expertise will continue to rest with the insurance companies, while the ordinary bloke in the street will try, with the help of legal advice, to represent himself. We are burying our heads in the sand if we think everybody will be in a position to take legal advice. Although this is an option for perhaps 90% of the population, there will be others for whom it is not possible. We should accept and make provision for this fact. I ask the Tánaiste to reconsider her response to the amendments.