The Government engaged in discussions with organisations representing hospital consultants in February of this year about having personal injury claims against them covered by the clinical indemnity scheme. As a result of the discussions, the Government agreed that caps should be placed on the maximum value of professional indemnity cover required by consultants to cover private practice. The decision was taken to allay concerns that the cover would become unaffordable, thereby threatening the viability of the independent health care sector. For all specialties, with the exception of obstetrics, consultants will be required to purchase cover to a limit of €1 million in respect of all cases arising in a single calendar year, inclusive of costs. Obstetricians will be required to purchase cover to a limit of €500,000 in respect of all cases arising in a single calendar year, also inclusive of costs. Insurers or indemnifiers covering consultant obstetricians will not be liable for the cost of more than three claims against any individual consultant, each of which exceed €500,000 in a single calendar year.