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.

But last night, what was being interpreted as significant was not the decrease in awards but the timing of such a strong ‘good news’ statement, the month before Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s major Cabinet reshuffle.

Already, two ministers, Charlie McCreevy and Joe Walsh, will resign their positions at the end of December and Mr Smith is thought to be the most vulnerable of those who remain.

However, sources close to Mr Smith have let it be known in recent days that he intends to stay on, citing his handling of army deafness claims and the sell-off of army land. The sources said that Mr Smith’s age, 64, would be no impediment to him continuing his role. But many backbench FF colleagues believe that if Mr Ahern is serious about a major reshuffle, then the veteran Tipperary North TD should go.

In last night’s statement, the Department of Defence stressed that the final cost of army deafness will now cost circa €300 million and not the €1 billion that was once predicted.

Two years ago, Mr Smith announced the Early Settlement Scheme was to be discontinued and said he wanted to bring the issue to a conclusion. He also said the department would seek costs from plaintiffs who lost their cases.

“I am very pleased that my strategy is continuing to reduce the level of average settlements and awards,” said Mr Smith.

The savings, the department claimed, had allowed investments in the new Government jet, eight training aircraft and a new helicopter fleet.

A Kildare solicitor, Patrick V Boland, received the highest amount in costs, amounting to €14,284,739 for 1,500 cases. Those costs included barristers’ fees, audiological testing and other costs.