Mr. Fergal O'Leary:

We are always focused on what will make things better for the consumer. If that information gave some comfort to consumers, we would be in favour of it, but I am not altogether sure it would. From the calls we get, I know consumers are very concerned about these increases and it is the reason the Department of Finance set up the working group earlier in the summer, and this committee is obviously looking at it as well. I believe there is a loss of confidence around what is happening in the sector around data, claims and settlements. Obviously, as we said in our statement and as the committee has heard, there are conflicting views on the reasons. I certainly think there is a role in terms of finding that information in order that consumers can have a little more certainty about why prices go up. We have all looked at the data going back to 2003. Prices were very low then, they started to increase and now they are a lot higher than they were ten, 12 or 14 years ago. We would welcome any powers that might be granted to us, or indeed to the Central Bank as the regulator of the sector, that would make things better and give more confidence and certainty.