Anthony Lawlor (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have received a number of angry emails in the past week in regard to a settlement of €550,000 that was made in the High Court to someone who did something totally stupid. Insurance awards are four and a half times higher here than in the United Kingdom. For every €100,000 that is awarded, €42,000 goes on legal and other associated costs. The €550,000 settlement that was made last week will result in an additional €200,000 in costs. Whether one is paying home insurance, motor insurance or business insurance, that impacts on every citizen. Something has to be done about this. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister with responsibility for this matter to the House to debate this issue and discuss the need for the courts to make realistic payments, as opposed to the payment made at the weekend to someone who did something stupid. In the old days, we used grab onto a truck to be pulled along on our cart or bicycle. We knew if we fell off it would be our fault and we would not be able to go after anyone else. Last week, a payment was made to someone who did something totally stupid. If this is the way our insurance payouts will go in the future, we need to do something about it.