Mr. Kevin Thompson:

On the question of claims being the driving factor, we have simply cited independent data that are out there, from the Central Bank of Ireland on private motor insurance statistics and the results of the bodily injury-themed inspection conducted in late 2015 for 2013 and 2014, which showed an 8% increase in frequency and in the level of compensation that was being awarded. We also looked at statistics from the Courts Service, about which there has been some commentary in the past few days and which give information about the level of increases it has seen. As for our messaging, we have said this is the main factor but we have also said that prices have gone too low and we have explained the part we have played in that. In any radio programme I have been on I have clearly articulated that. The statistics are there. They have been validated by the Central Bank of Ireland and the Courts Service.

There has been commentary from the competitiveness council on the direction of associated legal costs. The Motor Insurance Advisory Board's statistics of 2004 stated that litigation costs had an overhang of 43%. The Injuries Board states that there is a litigation overhang of 60% so there has not been that much movement in that space. As a sector, if we have to give everyone with whiplash €30,000 we can price that. If we give them €50,000 we can price it too, but if we want affordable premiums and stability in our premiums we need consistency in the level of awards and a level of awards which we can reasonably afford as a society. That has been the core of our messaging.

We have our part to play in this and in the issue of the data. We know we have a part to play in terms of the settling of claims. We recognise the figures from the Injuries Board but we need to put them into context. The Injuries Board settles non-contentious cases, where liability has been accepted. Both parties agree that there is no issue - it is just a question of what the level of the award is to be. We would expect steady amounts in these cases, without fluctuations or inconsistencies. The claims we deal with outside of that process, either pre-settlement or post-Injuries Board, are where liability has not been accepted or it is in contention. It is different and it will deliver different results.