Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

It will be related to the volume of work and the cost to the board. This will be self-financing, we will not make a profit on the operation of the PIAB. The small fees paid by claimants will be returned when they are successful and the only fees that will be held will be those where the claimant does not get an award. The insurance companies will pay the €8 million.

I must discuss the detail of the operation because until now I have been concentrating on getting the legislation right. It will not be on the basis of the award, however, it will be on the basis of the cost to the insurance company. If something is simple and can be assessed quickly, even if there are large damages, it would be unfair to level the same costs as on a more complicated case that requires more work or the recruitment of outside expertise.

Question put and agreed to.

Section 23 agreed to.

SECTION 24.