Frank O'Rourke (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The reality for these companies is that there is no consequence or penalty. There is something that could be done tomorrow morning. For example, there should be an automatic penalty for any insurance company that refuses to give a quotation to any person who has a valid NCT certificate showing that the car is roadworthy, irrespective of its age, because otherwise that is discrimination. There is no such penalty, however, and that is absolutely wrong.

The Acting Chairman asked what could be done. I am suggesting that, as Mr. Jewell said, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission should immediately carry out a thorough audit and investigation of what is going on because there is no justification for it. No matter how the figures are presented, it will not change my mind because it does not make sense. This is not new; it has been around for some time. A new motor insurance advisory board, or its equivalent, should be established. Those things should be done immediately.