Vol. 525 No. 5
159 Ms Shortall asked the Taoiseach if he will consider requesting the Law Reform Commission to review liability laws or to examine measures in other countries in order that the excessive cost of insurance premia for some children's leisure or diversionary events can be reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25712/00]
The Taoiseach is not empowered to direct the Law Reform Commission to carry out reviews of the law. Section 4 of the Law Reform Commission Act, 1945, provides that the commission may prepare programmes of research in consultation with the Attorney General for submission to the Taoiseach and that the Attorney General may refer specific items to the commission.
The Law Reform Commission's draft second programme for law reform has been submitted to the Taoiseach. One of the items included is the law of tort, including aspects of the law of compensation for personal injuries. To ensure the widest possible consultation the draft programme has been referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights.
The committee has recently written to say they held a very informative meeting with the Law Reform Commission on 24 October and the details of the proposed work programme were discussed. However, they did not have any formal recommendations to make in relation to the work programme.
