Mr. Dermott Jewell:

The term "cartel" has been applied previously to the insurance industry and that will continue to be the case until the data issue is resolved. As long as the industry continues to refuse to share data, it will remain open to the charge of operating like a cartel. I know it is an exceptionally serious claim to make against any industry or sector and I would be concerned that such a claim might result in the attitude of the industry becoming even more entrenched. That said, access to data has been an issue since the beginning of this century and in that sense, the industry must take the criticism on the chin. I would consider the attitude of the industry to be more than a little entrenched at present and a strong regulatory approach may have to be taken.

On the question of the involvement of the Financial Services Ombudsman, I must first state that I am the chairperson of the Financial Services Ombudsman Council. The Senator's point is well made but the ombudsman's office can only accept claims when all other avenues for resolution have been exhausted. Furthermore, it can only act on receipt of a complaint. Consumers can complain about the cost of insurance premiums but must also have a basis and foundation for such complaints and as I have already said, access to data is key. The Financial Services Ombudsman does not even have access to the data, which is a matter of concern. The issue is not how much consumers are paying but the underlying reasons for the increase in the amounts they are paying and none of us knows what they are. We will all go home this evening and still not know the underlying reasons.

The Senator is entirely correct with regard to the Law Reform Commission and we must acknowledge the value of its report. However, as is the case with so many reports, its recommendations have not been acted on and it is lying on a shelf somewhere. Indeed, many reports have fallen off the shelf and into a bin. Too often we do not see the action that is needed on foot of reports. We have an opportunity now to act, particularly with regard to motor insurance.

The Senator is correct about the imbalance because at the moment, the entire emphasis of the providers is on bundling.

This approach confuses the price the customer is paying. Is one service very cheap and the other very expensive? It is very difficult to tell whether this is a way of clouding the matter. It is problematic. I will hand over to Mr. O'Rourke now. We are worried about everything that has been said about the cost factor, and particularly what has been said about organisations moving in, selling the businesses and moving out.