Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 March 2024
10. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence how many legal cases have been taken against the Defence Forces since the beginning of 2024; and if that figure is higher or lower than the same period in 2023. [13287/24]
View answerBetween the 1st of January 2024 and the 14th of March 2024, my Department received twenty (20) new litigation cases.
While the volume of cases received can fluctuate throughout the year, and from one year to another, this figure is broadly in line with figures from previous years for the same period.
At the same point in 2023, my Department had received fourteen (14) new cases. The figure for the same period in 2022 was ten (10) new cases and for 2021 it was twenty-six (26) new cases.
The timing of the receipt of cases is a matter beyond the control of my Department and of the Defence Forces, as it is at the discretion of the litigant to institute proceedings at a time of their choosing, as long as it is within the statute of limitations for the type of litigation being pursued. The Deputy will also be aware that a case does not always start and finish in the same calendar year, and in some instances the cases can run over a number of years.
While my Department's Litigation Branch manages and coordinates litigation claims taken against the Minister for Defence, and by extension against the Defence Forces, in doing so, the Branch works closely with both the State Claims Agency (SCA) and the Chief State Solicitor’s Office (CSSO).
The Deputy will be aware that all claims for personal injuries taken by current and former members of the Defence Forces have been delegated to the SCA, who manage these claims on behalf of the Minister for Defence and Employment Law matters taken against the Minister for Defence are managed by the CSSO.
