Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I strongly support the points made by Senator Brian Hayes on SSIAs. It is not good enough for the Minister to claim that only a small number of people will be affected because the issue will affect families which have skimped and scraped over a number of years to save for an SSIA in the hope that the resulting bonus would help send their children to college. Now, however, the reward for their efforts is the loss of the grant. However small the number concerned, who among us wants to explain that our political decision has sent a family backwards? It is an unacceptable situation, and I believe Government Members feel as strongly as I do about the matter.

It may be true to say that a small number of people will be affected but what difference does that make to a family which made great sacrifices and prudent arrangements only to be refused a grant? The scheme should be regarded as a one-off bonus to taxpayers and an attempt to inculcate a savings culture. The Leader made similar points yesterday and, while I hesitate to make a party political argument, the Government has to address the issue.

Yesterday, Senator Morrissey referred to the importance of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board. While I should declare my interest as vice-chair of the board, I would welcome a debate on the matter. The annual report of the PIAB is awaiting Government approval, if it has not already been approved. Through the intervention of the PIAB, the price of premia has been reduced to an extraordinary extent and the cost of settling claims stands at 10% of the previous figure. That represents significant savings for the State and for people purchasing insurance.

However, a problem arises in that we are coming to end of the first cycle and we need to be careful to ensure that we continue our work. The insurance market in Ireland needs to attract more people. I hope this House will offer its support because everything the PIAB does is challenged by some group or other. Every month, there are challenges to its work in the courts and elsewhere in order to prevent it from achieving its aims.

I ask the House to convey its congratulations to the former Senator, Dr. Maurice Manning, who has been appointed chair of the European group of human rights institutions. His appointment is a signal honour for him and for the Irish Human Rights Commission.