Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is important to put on the record that this section is hugely important in this legislation. When it is commenced, the unfairness of a consumer having to know what is relevant and what is not when applying for a product will be ended. From that point on, the obligation will be on the insurer to ask the relevant question. It is blindingly obvious when one thinks about it and yet up to now the playing field has been tilted in favour of the insurer.

The section places the onus on the insurer to ask relevant questions instead of being able to avoid or not pay out on a claim because a disclosure has not been made. It is a new start. It is a level playing field for consumers and businesses. It will be transparent to consumers how this will apply in the future. I welcome that the Minister of State is supporting this section.