Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have seen the number of fatalities drop from a very high level in the mid-1970s to only 186 currently while the number of drivers on the roads has increased dramatically. However, insurance premiums have remained more or less the same or they certainly have not fallen to the same extent as the number of collisions. Perhaps Mr. Doyle can give an explanation for this. Road users pay enough in terms of VRT, taxes, levies, excise duty and insurance. They have bought into the penalty points system and are, by and large, driving with more care, but insurance premiums are not falling.