The "green book" which is used to determine the level of hearing loss among members of the Defence Forces may be put into law, the Minister for Defence said.

Mr Smith told the House that up to March 26th, settlements had been reached in 1,431 cases and court awards had been made in 91 cases. A further 64 cases were successfully defended or withdrawn. Compensation of £36.4 million and costs of £8.5 million had been paid in respect of 1,586 cases finalised. Since the beginning of the year, 1,233 cases had been received, an average of 90 per week, he said.