The Law Reform Commission has recommended that the High Court considers introducing a procedure to allow individuals to unite in taking joint legal action, as is the case in some other countries.
In a new report, the commission says the introduction of so-called multi-party actions would be more efficient and cheaper for all the parties involved.
Currently, hundreds of prisoners are taking individual cases against the State over the lack of sanitation in their cells.
Almost 17,000 former and present members of the Defence Forces took army deafness cases at a cost of almost €300 million to the State.
Although the Government introduced an early settlement scheme for the payment of claims, the commission is recommending a more structured approach, which will not require legislation.
Under the proposed system, individuals with common issues could join a group action by a certain date. The action would be certified and registered by the courts.
One case would then be selected to go before the courts. If that case were successful, then all members of the claim would receive similar levels of compensation.
If the case were unsuccessful, however, the other cases would also be dismissed.
