Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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1106. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the Judicial Council’s recommendation to increase personal injury awards by 17 per cent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10988/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Judicial Council adopted the Personal Injuries Guidelines, which were drawn up by the Council's Personal Injuries Guidelines Committee, in March 2021. The Judicial Council has conducted a review of the Guidelines and has submitted draft amendments of the Guidelines to me, in accordance with section 7 of the Judicial Council Act 2019.

It is important to note that, under Section 6 of the Judicial Council Act, the Judicial Council is independent in the exercise of its functions. I as Minister have no role in relation to the operation of the Judicial Council or its Committees. As required by the Act, I will shortly be laying the draft amendments before the Houses, after which a resolution proposing the draft amendments can be considered by the Houses.