Select Committee on Legislation and Security debate -
Tuesday, 10 Dec 1996

Civil Liability (Amendment) Bill, 1996 [Seanad]: Committee Stage.

Chairman

I welcome the Minister for Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Taylor, and his officials. Members will be aware this Bill was scheduled to be taken last month but, due to unforeseen circumstances, it was not possible to take it. I hope we make good progress today and, perhaps, complete the amendments tabled.

Before I call on Deputy Woods to move the first amendment, I wish to refer to the committee meeting before last. A heated exchange took place between myself and Members on the Judge Dominic Lynch issue resulting in Deputy Liam Fitzgerald leaving the meeting. As Chairman, I apologise to the Deputy for remarks I made concerning his and other Members' attendance at this committee. A number of recent meetings failed to reach an appropriate quorum. However, the attendance over the past years of Deputy Fitzgerald, as convenor of the Fianna Fáil group, has been extremely positive and records will show he has been one of the best attendees at this committee. I, therefore, withdraw any assertion that he was responsible on any occasion for the committee not reaching a quorum. I regret if any of my remarks caused him to take offence and withdraw any comments directed at him. I apologise for any offence caused and regret that he left the meeting but am pleased he has returned and hope he accepts my apology.

Mr. L. Fitzgerald

Thank you, Chairman. I unequivocally accept what you said.

Chairman

I thank the Deputy. I am sure that Members wish to attend the Order of Business and I have been asked to lay a report before the House immediately afterwards. We will continue until the Order of Business and review matters then.

Dr. Woods

The Minister has been helpful and he has listened to what was said on Second Stage. He has brought some amendments forward so we can make some progress before the Order of Business.

Chairman

We will see how things go and review the situation if necessary.

The Civil Liability (Amendment) Bill, 1996, increases the maximum amount payable by way of compensation for mental distress in the case of fatal injuries and actions brought by persons under the Civil Liability Act, 1961, from the present £7,500 to £15,000. Any future increases in the upper limit on damages for mental distress can be made by way of ministerial order. The Bill also extends to cohabitants and certain former spouses the right to claim certain damages under the 1961 Act.

Amendments Nos. 1 and 13 are related and may be taken together by agreement. Agreed.