John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I put it to the Minister of State that legal fees comprise the most significant inbuilt cost in most of the claims that are settled in court. One must ask why just 20% of cases are settled through the Injuries Board. It is possible that legislation or regulation is the only lever we have. My strong belief is that the Government should be showing intent in respect of all the vested interests in the insurance industry by making it clear we are serious about leading the way and doing certain things. There is obviously something wrong with the market because companies are leaving it. My greatest fear is that a further consolidation in the market will lead to an upward-only change in premiums. That is a certainty. If the Government can intervene by leading the way in terms of taking legislative action - it needs to do more than arrange hearings, etc. - it will force the vested interests to see that the game is up and that this House is intent on doing its business. Neither data protection nor anything else should get in the way of having an industry that is capable of dealing with the claims and so on that come before it. There is a need for certainty about the legal process involving the Injuries Board or otherwise. We should be taking that action.