Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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610. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to review the Personal Injuries Assessment Board legislation; and the public consultations she will include. [15394/16]

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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611. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the concerns that have provoked a review of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15395/16]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 610 and 611 together.

In June 2014, Minister Bruton, the then Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation commenced a public consultation on the operation andimplementation of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Acts, 2003 and 2007, with a viewto identifying any areas relating to the scope, powers or operation of the legislation which might require change. The 2003 Act had been in force for over eleven years and it was considered timely to take stock of how the legislation is operating in practice.

Twenty nine submissions were received from a range of interests including Government Departments and agencies, industry, insurance and legal interests, and individuals. The Department has been examining these submissions with a view to identifying whether there are areas which might require change. The General Scheme of the Bill is now being prepared and it is hoped to seek Government approval for the drafting of a Bill later this year. The review will seek to strengthen the legislation in terms of operational issues.