Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The State Claims Agency has not exactly crowned itself in glory in recent years, when citizens of this State have found themselves having to take legal action against a Department. I understand the role of the State Claims Agency in protecting the resources of the State and ensuring that every claim is scrutinised to its absolute maximum. I cannot understand, however, how the State Claims Agency and Departments are allowed to ignore the orders of the Supreme Court of this land. I am not talking about the merits or demerits of the case - that is a matter for the Judiciary - but there is a case ongoing against the Air Corps relating to chemicals. The case was taken by one individual, a former member of the Air Corps. The outcome of the case will have major implications for other people who have served in the Air Corps and were subjected to, or working with, the chemicals involved. The Supreme Court has ordered discovery of documents, and that discovery has not been met. The excuse being used at the moment, I understand, is Covid-19, but the order was a year ago, before there was ever such thing as Covid-19. We have seen how the State Claims Agency has put innocent people and people struggling with their health through the wringer. Is it hoping they will die before any action takes place? Is it hoping witnesses will die? This is outrageous. It falls to this House not to get involved in what goes on in the Four Courts but to make damn sure that those who work for the State comply with the orders of the courts at the very least. That is not a lot to ask, and whichever Minister is responsible for the State Claims Agency should be brought before this House to explain why it is that it can do what it is doing. We have seen what happened regarding cervical cancer and various other areas. It is bloody well outrageous.