Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Jun 1999

Vol. 506 No. 5

Written Answers. - Insurance Costs.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

46 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the progress, if any, made in implementing the report of the McAuley committee on insurance costs; if the pilot scheme recommended by the committee is considered to have been a success; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15812/99]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Treacy)

I take it the Deputy's question refers to the special working group on a personal injuries tribunal, chaired by Mr. Dan McAuley. In its first report, which was published in May 1997, the special working group set out two alternative structures for a mediation board for occupational injury claims – the first to operate within the courts system, and the alternative mediation structure to be established on a greenfield basis outside the ambit of the courts system and operating initially on a two year pilot basis. A majority of the working group had reservations about the cost effectiveness of a greenfield mediation board and recommended a mediation system to be established within the courts system, having regard to assurances given to it about the rapid pace and scale of the ongoing reform of court procedures and elimination of delays.

In pursuing the special working group's recommendation our Department has been advised that the question of establishing a claims mediation process within the courts would be a matter to be pursued with the new courts services board, when established.

I should point out that the special working group is currently engaged in research into personal injury compensation systems in operation in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Canada, New Zealand and the USA, in the areas of occupational injuries and motor accident injuries. The special working groups consideration of the results of this research and its relevance to the possible improvement of the systems for delivering personal injury compensation in Ireland will, of necessity, involve a re-appraisal of the recommendations in its first report for a claims mediation system. The group is aiming to complete and submit its final report later this year.