The Personal Injuries Tribunal, which is currently considering options for a mediation/arbitration system for handling occupational injury claims, is to have its brief expanded to consider alternative systems for personal injuries compensation, the Minister for Science, Technology and Commerce, Mr Noel Treacy, has stated. Addressing the annual lunch of the Irish Insurance Federation, Mr Treacy said: "This work is taking place against the backdrop of Government concern about the impact of the army deafness litigation."