Parents now want to know about insurance cover before sending their children to birthday parties.

It was reported this week in Waterford city that some parents had enquired about another families' insurance policy before allowing their children to attend a party.

Parents had enquired if a home had liability insurance, before sending their six-year-olds to a birthday party there.

Minister of State Michael D'Arcy says it is only a minority of people who do this.

He told WLR the insurance compensation culture is to blame.

But he also hopes the immanent establishment of a Judicial Council will reverse the trend.

"I just hate to hear things of that nature, but unfortunately there are a very small number of people who behave like that.

"But unfortunately that is the case.

"We've all seen cases that we're scratching our heads going 'how in the name of God did somebody get awarded that quantity of money?'".