State will no longer be a soft touch

IT is refreshing to praise a State agency. We refer to the claims unit that handles all compensation cases involving government departments.

Right now, this little-known outfit is handling some 1,850 personal injury claims against the State, ranging from asbestos-related cancer, to falling down steps or tripping over a tree trunk in a State-owned forest.

As the bill could reach €80 million, it makes much sense to centralise the handling of such cases under an a single agency.

So effective has the unit proved that claims managers have already succeeded in pruning 5% off crippling legal costs. Essentially, Ireland’s appalling compo culture led to the setting up of this superb body within the national Treasury Management organisation.

Regardless of what accident may happen, it seems people are unwilling to take any responsibility whatsoever. Invariably, they look for someone else to blame.

So, it is indeed refreshing to hear Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy reiterate the warning that the state will no longer be a soft touch.