The Law Reform Commission has put forward proposals recommending the introduction of a procedure that would enable groups of people with similar claims to bring a combined suit.
The Commission says this would reduce the number of legal layers in the compensation system.
At present, multi-party actions are dealt with individually, leading to duplication and rising costs.
The Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, has said the issues covered in the report were very serious ones, and must be given deep thought and consideration.
Mr McDowell also said that due to the serious implications of the proposal, the onus was on those who proposed the change to demonstrate its benefits or otherwise.
The last decade in Ireland has seen an increase in the number of cases where multiple plaintiffs with similar claims take legal proceedings against the same defendants.
Army deafness, claims related to contaminated blood products and tobacco related claims are typical of the type of litigation the Commission believes could benefit from having a class action procedure.
The Law Reform Commission has looked at class action models in Canada and Australia rather than the US in formulating its proposals for Ireland.
They claim the procedure could be more economical, effective and expeditious.
