Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

Senator Mansergh has made a fair point. The purpose of the PIAB is to be a friend, rather than an enemy, of claimants and secure their entitlements quickly, efficiently and inexpensively. One pays for this process through one's premium, by putting one's job at risk or by other means. The procedures Senator McDowell described are more appropriate to the rules than the legislation. One cannot specify in legislation what procedures need to be followed.

The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators is involved, with others, in drafting the procedures. There will be no question of negotiation between an assessor and a claimant or respondent. While the assessor may have contact with the claimant for the purposes of clarifying some matter to which the claimant has referred in his or her claim – this will be provided for in the rules – there is no question of entering into negotiation.