National no-fault insurance scheme
McCartan argues that a nationalised no-fault liability scheme is needed instead of incremental reforms. Brennan rejects the description of the programme as tinkering but says he will consider the proposal.
All of this is touching spots and is no more than tinkering with the system. Is the Minister of State considering in his discussions and negotiations with the insurance industry the introduction of a nationalised scheme of no-fault liability? That is the only effective way one can get over the overloading of these matters, with costs by lawyers and insurance brokers. Are we just going to have an endless tinkering with the system which is what the Courts Bill and the many other things will really do?
Comment on this
I do not consider the programme which I have outlined, which is only part of the programme which I hope to unfold, tinkering with the system. There is a range of areas on which we are trying to make some progress. Let me say in this regard that the Fine Gael insurance policy document which was released during the summer was helpful in that it also pointed to a large number of areas where we can and are taking action. The proposal of a no-fault liability was not made by anyone in the insurance industry or the other parties involved but it is something——