asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is yet in a position to indicate if a firm decision has been reached in regard to the question of providing relief in cases of hardship arising out of the failure of the Equitable Insurance Company Limited.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Equitable Insurance Company, Limited.
42.
This matter is still under consideration and I have not yet reached a final decision.
Is the Minister aware that there are at the moment many law cases pending and that former policy-holders of the Equitable Insurance Company find themselves faced with considerable anxiety as to what the outcome of these deliberations are likely to be? Will the Minister not give some indication whether finality can be reached in the near future with regard to the study of this problem?
As the Deputy will appreciate, this is a very complex matter. I have had a number of consultations, and I have given consideration to a number of solutions. I am now giving consideration to what I regard might be an acceptable solution. However, that is only my own opinion, and I have to consult other people as well. As regards the second part of the supplementary, it will be some time in the New Year before I can indicate when a final decision will be come to.
Would the Minister be in a position to indicate now whether the study that is proceeding will cover workmen's compensation liability, general master and servant liability and Common Law liability?
I would not like to indicate the range at this stage.
Perhaps the Minister will recall that I have brought certain cases—as I am sure other Deputies have done—to his attention, that there is the problem of small employers against whom substantial awards have been made and that they are holding bankruptcy proceedings at bay on the basis that some early decision is likely to be arrived at? Would the Minister bear that in mind when considering the necessity of urgent measures being taken, because there is not only the danger of bankruptcy, but there is the danger of family disruption by the nervous breakdown of the individual in cases such as those to which I have referred?
I think I already indicated to the Deputy that that was a category I had particularly in mind. I think he will regard it as not unreasonable for me not to make an announcement until I have reached a final decision in the matter.
I appreciate that.