Sir, - The Tánaiste's establishment of a personal injuries assessment board is welcome. There is probably no country in Europe as litigious as ours. Egged on by a small number of greedy lawyers, people are encouraged to view a minor fall, scratch, graze or pulled muscle, as an alternative to winning the lottery.
Apart from the insurance implications for ordinary citizens, the other effects are devastating. Teachers can no longer send their students around the corner to the local library. Farmers can no longer dig a silage pit without worrying that somebody will fall into it. Public houses, clubs and hotels are sued by people who fall off bar stools. Supermarkets are being sued for trivial injuries by people who fall on their premises.
This "compo culture" means that we are all prevented from engaging in activities we enjoy.
People are no longer willing to accept responsibility for their actions. When accidents happen, as they always will, many now embark immediately on a hunt for a scapegoat. They never ask themselves what they could have done to avoid the accident in the first place. Hardly ever will they hold themselves responsible.
When I tripped on the pavement as a child, I was asked by my parents: "Why were you not looking where you were going?"
I'm afraid today's children are much more frequently asked by their concerned parents whether there were witnesses. Where will it all end? - Yours, etc.,
Cllr NOEL COLLINS,
Midleton,
Co Cork.