59 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Defence the number of cases for hearing damage now outstanding; the number of new cases lodged in the past three months; the number of cases for post traumatic stress syndrome which have been lodged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13692/00]

60 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on his discussions with the Law Society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13695/00]

67 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Defence whether he intends to proceed with the establishment of a tribunal to deal with the deafness compensation cases. [13696/00]

71 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Defence the progress made in discussions between his Department and lawyers representing soldiers, mediated by the Law Society, regarding a procedure for resolving Army deafness claims; when his Department last met with the Law Society; when he expects these discussions to conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13671/00]

95 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Defence the cost in 2000 of the deafness compensation claims paid by his Department; the legal costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13714/00]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 59, 60, 67, 71 and 95 together.

After the Supreme Court delivered its judgment on 7 December 1999 in the case of Hanley v Minister for Defence, I wrote to the Law Society of Ireland asking it to act as a channel of communication between the State and the leading plaintiffs' solicitors in Army hearing loss litigation.