Fine Gael TD should withdraw compensation claim in public interest – Mattie McGrath

Independent TD Mattie McGrath has said it would be highly advisable for Fine Gael TD, Maria Bailey, to drop her claim for compensation against a Dublin Hotel following an alleged incident where injuries were sustained following a fall from a swing. Deputy McGrath was speaking as criticism of Deputy Bailey continues to grow, with suggestions that she is reinforcing the perception that businesses are an easy target for those seeking unjustified financial compensation:

“This is sending out all of the wrong signals and it must be tackled immediately. If the perception is out there that those in positions of political leadership are jumping on the ‘compo culture’ bandwagon then we are in real difficulty.

Businesses and community groups from all over the country are being threatened with exorbitant insurance premiums following spurious claims. This incident will do nothing to reassure them that the issue is being seriously addressed.

The Personal Injuries Commission has confirmed that said that compensation payments for soft tissue injuries like whiplash are 4.4 times higher here than awards to claimants in England or Wales for similar injuries.

That is simply not sustainable.

What is making this even more difficult for the public to swallow is the fact that the solicitors representing Deputy Baily are a firm associated with Minister Josepha Madigan.

This alone adds fuel to the fire in terms of extremely negative public perceptions. It is a PR disaster for government but more importantly it is highly damaging to businesses and community groups throughout the country,” concluded Deputy McGrath.