Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response. In fairness, I appreciate what he said but people listening to this, or contacting our offices, whether car owners, business owners or community groups that have to cancel many of their events, do not see that this issue is being dealt with as a matter of urgency.

It has to be dealt with as a matter of urgency. Younger people, especially in rural Ireland, are unable to afford insurance, so they cannot drive, get on the road and get work. It is affecting community groups, and there are massive increases coming in that area. The insurance companies hide behind the issue of claims to increase their premiums, which has no correlation whatsoever with the number of claims being made and the increases to which they are being exposed. Many people say they will not make claims because it will increase the price of their premium once the claim is lodged. They often do not know that a claim has been lodged against them until they go to renew their insurance.

The ball is in the Minister of State's court. He has to reassure businesses that he will act on this.

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