61 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Defence the timeframe for establishing a compensation scheme to deal with deafness compensation; the legal costs to date; the number of cases settled outside the courts; the number settled within court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4598/00]

63 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Defence the number of new cases for deafness compensation received in his Department in December 1999, January 2000 and to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4579/00]

65 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the meetings, if any, he has had with representatives of the legal profession regarding Army deafness claims and the possible establishment of a tribunal; the outcome of any such meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4525/00]

79 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the position regarding the proposed establishment of a tribunal to deal with Army deafness claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4524/00]

110 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence the timeframe for establishing a compensation scheme to deal with deafness compensation; the legal costs to date; the number of cases settled outside the courts; the number settled within court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4651/00]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 61, 63, 65, 79 and 110 together.

On 3 February 2000, officials of my Department and of the Chief State Solicitor's office met with representatives of the Incorporated Law Society and of solicitors representing about half the litigants with hearing loss claims outstanding. A further meeting has been arranged. These discussions are, by agreement, confidential but, on a trial basis, a proposal to establish a mechanism to settle claims was made by my Department and a response is now awaited from the solicitors.

The success or otherwise of this interim approach will determine my future actions in regard to the remaining claims. However, the Government has approved in principle the preparation of the heads of a Bill to provide for any statutory compensation scheme which may be required in the light of the outcome of the present proposal.

To date, plaintiffs' legal costs in Army hearing loss litigation amount to £27.8 million. Out of court settlements have been made in 4,271 cases at a cost of £72.15 million while 231 cases were the subject of court awards costing £3.61 million.

In December 1999, 58 new cases were received and 30 new cases received in January 2000. A further 28 new cases were received in the first two weeks of this month.