Smith defends his record before Cabinet reshuffle

MICHAEL SMITH’S strong rearguard action to remain in Cabinet continued last night with a robust statement highlighting his record on army deafness claims.

The Minister of Defence revealed that the average award and settlement for claims has fallen by 33% over the past year.

Averaging at a little over €5,700 per case, it represents a fall of a third on last year’s figure of €8,600 and less than a fifth of the average award of €30,300 when Mr Smith was appointed to defence in 1997.