I reject out of hand the contention that any effort made by the Department and myself in recent months has added to the number of cases coming forward. There were over 6,200 cases last year and any measurement up to date indicates more or less the same picture. There has been no increase but there has also been no decrease, which is still a worrying trend. It is important to take into account that since this more integrated effort to manage the problem, the average quantum has come down by £7,500 per claim. If that is stretched over the total number of claims it means a massive reduction, of the order of hundreds of millions of pounds, in the aggregate quantum and I am sure the Opposition parties have no objection to that.
As to an alternative way of dealing with the problem, from the time I had the opportunity to assess all the aspects a number of factors have been absent. First was an objective way of assessing hearing handicap which was acceptable to the courts. Notwithstanding that acceptance, if it comes, the courts may not be the best place to deal with such huge numbers. It would have an enormous paralysing effect on the High Court in terms of other injury claims. I am therefore proceeding with my earlier proposal to establish a compensation board. I must obviously take into account how the board will develop. If the quantum in the courts were to remain as high as it is, notwithstanding its reduction, claimants would still be attracted to that system. The establishment of a board must therefore await the outcome of the objective assessment of handicap, the reaction of the courts to that system and, we hope, a reduction in the quantum in those cases where there is little or no handicap.
As far as genuine claimants are concerned, I am anxious to see the doors opening as quickly as possible to a comprehensive and equitable assessment of these cases. There will be no holdup on my side. The problem up to now was that the quantum awards were so high in respect of slight or no hearing handicap and the sheer numbers were such that it was essential for me to get a grip on the circumstances, as it would have two detrimental effects, the long-term results of which could be disastrous — first, the unique relationship between the Defence Forces and the people could be fractured permanently and, second, the taxpayers, who must carry the final load, would be asked to carry a burden which, in my view, would be unfair as against competing considerations in genuine handicap cases.
