Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I am not suggesting that. I am saying that is the kind of potential number we are talking about, based on the High Court decision. I am not suggesting that such a figure would be realised. There is no doubt that a large number of such applications could be made on foot of the position in which we found ourselves after the High Court case. We know what happened in other circumstances — we had to take the lawyers out of the equation, in effect, in the case of personal injury claims. As a result, motor insurance costs have decreased by approximately €1 billion over the past three years and employers' liability insurance costs have decreased by approximately €300 million per annum.

Such reductions took place because we challenged a particular vested interest and introduced a new, speedier and more effective way for claimants to get compensation. This change has had a dramatic impact on the level of claims and the cost of making such claims. Before we took action, 50% of the cost of making a claim comprised legal fees which were paid to lawyers. The Government's proposals in this regard are fair and reasonable. No genuine claimant will be adversely affected by what we are doing.