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There is a saying we use in Ireland that everyone understands. We all know when you hear somebody sardonically remark that Ireland is "a great little country" that our world leading reputation for euphemisms is being employed. 1/
We did after all refer to WW2 as the emergency and a 30 year civil war as the troubles. We have a similarly mordant relationship with insiders that are seen as taking advantage of the system. So what does this look like in action? 2/
Over the past three years, I have been heavily involved with my colleagues in @isme_ie in trying to bring reform to the scandalous racket that is nefarious and vexatious personal injuries litigation. 3/
Every aspect that we have worked on has faced implacable opposition. The letter we sent yesterday to the entire cabinet reflects our concern at how this "great little country" works. Letter is available here: https://isme.ie/chairpersons-letter-to-an-taoiseach-re-judicial-council-13th-feb-21/ 4/
Last Saturday @IrishTimes rented out a section of its front page for a completely cynical planted story by a junior court reporter that says she is interested in ethics. The article attempted to lower expectations to make what may be 50% reductions in awards look good 5/
We aren't idiots. It was quite obvious what this was. @MaryCarolanIT allowed or happily went along with an extremely cynical planted story. The businesses that close as a result of escalating premia shouldn't forget who has been busy undermining the work of Nicholas Kearns. 6/
We took the extraordinary step of writing to the whole cabinet yesterday because of our concern at the way this "great little country works". If you hear prominent people from within the legal sector on the Radio Panel shows tomorrow, planted stories in the media next week 7/
that is all part of the "game" as they see it. How our great little country works. The businesses that do nothing wrong in these vexatious cases are taken to the cleaners. This is a racket. There are legitimate PI claims. We are not talking about them. They should stand. 8/
The key issue is a collect €200 as you pass go culture of this aspect of the law. @Independent_ie can hold its head up as it has consistently spoken up for middle Ireland. @IrishTimes and @irishexaminer chose to stick their middle fingers up at middle Ireland in the past week 9/
We can see what is happening and are watching. As of April 2021, the UK is set to further slash its PI awards. That, we believe, is why there is such a push on to suddenly bring forward and rush through revised levels of awards. 10/
Extensive editing to last wk's front page article appears to have taken place on the IT's website since. The damage was done however and they know it. Additional articles seem to have been added to the digital trail but the printed edition from last week is "the record". 11/
Listen to the radio, podcasts and watch the newspapers over the next week. There will be a rearguard action being fought by the only sector the Troika failed to get reformed during the bailout. 12/
Vexatious personal injuries cases are a tax on society. They are a transfer of wealth from ordinary business owners, charities, sports clubs and state bodies to the Punch and Judy spectacle of courtroom drama. Like Las Vegas the house always wins. 13/
Even if claims are cut by 80%, in line with Nicholas Kearn's recommendations, from April, we will remain an outlier in the EU for soft tissue injuries. High insurance costs stop investment, job growth, R&D as money is extracted out of productive sectors to fund this farrago. 14/
Our "great little country" can work for the classes or the masses. End
@isme_ie @RobertTroyTD @MattShanahanTD @HMcEntee @MichealMartinTD @InsuranceRefIre
@isme_ie @RobertTroyTD @MattShanahanTD @HMcEntee @MichealMartinTD @InsuranceRefIre
