Vol. 470 No. 2
153 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if the Government has decided to establish a personal injuries tribunal or a working group to examine if a personal injuries tribunal can be established; if so, the date on which these decisions were made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18841/96]
154 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the date on which Deloitte & Touche Consultants handed over their report to him on the insurance industry; the costs of this consultancy work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18842/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 154 together.
The report by Deloitte & Touche on the economic evaluation of insurance costs in Ireland was received by the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, who has special responsibility for commerce, science and technology, on 6 September 1996. The cost of the consultancy work, including VAT, amounts to £99,825.
A key recommendation by the consultants concerns the establishment of a personal injuries tribunal to deal with personal injury claims where liablity is not an issue and by a key recommendation by the consultants concerns the establishment of a personal injuries tribunal to deal with personal injury claims where liability is not an issue and by agreement between the parties. In this context, the Government decided, at its meeting on 8 October 1996, to establish a special working group to examine how best to expedite the establishment of a personal injuries tribunal and to investigate and examine — or re-examine, as appropriate — issues surrounding other alternative or complementary systems for delivering personal injury compensation in Ireland.
