The Government yesterday announced its intention to establish a Personal Injuries Assessment Board on a statutory basis. It is intended to have it operational early in 2002.
The Minister of State for Science, Technology and Commerce, Mr Noel Treacy, said it was not intended that this would reduce the amount of awards to injured parties. "Rather, the emphasis will be on reducing the costs of delivering compensation," he said.
Initially the board would decide on the amount of personal injury compensation arising from employers' liability, and would extend its remit to motor insurance claims later, he said. It would not decide on liability.