Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators O'Toole, Alex White, Keaveney and Coghlan all expressed shock and horror at the costs of the legal profession, particularly in relation to the €2.1 million claim examined by the Taxing Master, where he awarded €400,000. Incidentally, Senators Coghlan, O'Toole and I were among those who championed the setting up of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board arising from the insurance industry inquiry during the lifetime of the previous committee that I had the pleasure of chairing. I thank colleagues for their compliments on the great work we did in that committee. The setting up of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board has to be one of the greatest achievements in my long life as a Member of the Oireachtas.