Seanad debates

Wednesday, 18 December 2019

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

 

10:30 am

Photo of Anthony LawlorAnthony Lawlor (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would also like to be associated with wishing a happy Christmas and peaceful new year to Members, the Seanad staff and all of the staff throughout the whole facility whether they are in the catering section or the printing side, which might not be popular at the moment. I wish everyone a happy Christmas and peaceful new year, and I hope that we will all be back here in the new year to debate further.

I extend my sincere sympathy to the Lott family on their tragic loss. One must remember that there are two sides to domestic violence and that some men are in domestic violence situations. We must take that into consideration. A case of was highlighted recently in the public domain. We should look at both sides of this and I support the ladies who have asked for a debate on domestic violence. I will participate in the debate because people have brought cases to me where men have been subject to domestic violence. Unfortunately, most of the tragedies occur on the female side but there are some men who are in difficult married or relationship situations.

I agree with Senator Clifford-Lee on insurance for crèches. This is one of a number of sectors that have been affected by the sudden increase in insurance premia, including small businesses around the country. There are many legs to this chair. I ask the Leader to either arrange a debate or establish a committee to look into the legal costs associated with insurance. Yesterday, I highlighted the fact that 85% of litigation results in awards of less than €100,000 as ordered by the courts, yet 63% of every award comprises legal costs.If people go through the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, PIAB, the average fee is €752 and the average award is €22,631. In 85% of the cases going through the courts the awards are under €100,000. The average award is not very different from that in the PIAB at €23,199, but the average legal costs are €14,684. That is an additional 63%. It is no wonder our insurance premiums are going up. The Seanad should have a debate on this issue. If we cannot have a debate, we should establish a committee to investigate the legal fees being charged in this country. When the troika was here one of the issues it highlighted was legal fees. We must deal with them. They are part of the reason for our insurance premiums being so high.

On a final matter, a Kildare man, Mr. Brian Rushe, was elected deputy president of the Irish Farmers Association, IFA, yesterday. I wish him all the best for the year ahead. I also extend best wishes to Mr. Tim Cullinan. They both have difficult tasks ahead with regard to farming incomes and Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, payments.

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