The Supreme Court was told today that if it finds unconstitutional a new bill to sanction retrospectively the illegal practice of charging medical card holders for nursing home care, the number of potential litigants could be higher than 30,000.
Such a figure would exceed all those seeking compensation in army deafness, Hepatitis C and Residential Institutions Redress Board cases.
Lawyers for the State said the cost of meeting such claims could affect the level of provision from the health budget for the currently sick.
The hearing on the new Health Amendment (No 2) Bill, which was referred to the court by President Mary McAleese, is expected to conclude tomorrow and the Supreme Court must give its judgement by 22 February.
