Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am referring to social housing, so my advice to the Senator is to hold his fire. I look forward to what he has to say post budget.

I welcome the response received from the Minister of State to last evening’s Private Members’ motion. We are all aware of the difficulties with the State Claims Agency and the lengthy legal difficulties, with which Senator Donovan is more familiar than many of us are. These claims have become bogged down, they are lengthy and costly for people and there can be fault, as we know, on both sides. I welcome the very positive response the motion received from the Minister of State. An assurance was obtained from her that there will be a review of the State Claims Agency and how the claims are handled. I have no doubt that there will be a more user-friendly approach in the future and there will be a prompt no-fault system of settlement and compensation where people will engage with one another and where compromise may be reached in some cases. By engaging with each other, both sides will see the light and matters will be settled. That is the way to go forward and I very much welcome it.