Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Let us not reduce the problems relating to motor insurance premiums to this one factor, important though it is. The industry did highlight the matter for us. The report of the working group on the cost of motor insurance published in January highlights several uncertainties that exist for insurance companies, such as the changing of the court jurisdictional limits and the introduction of periodic payment orders. These are listed in the report and we have to tackle them by means of our action plan in order to bring about lower premiums for consumers. The fact that the initial judgment has been overturned on appeal should lead to the delivery of fairer premiums for consumers. If it does not, that will be seen as a breach of faith with the Department of Finance and the cost of insurance working group, which is working assiduously with those in the insurance industry to reform the industry and to arrive at cheaper premiums for consumers.