Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This question is for Mr. Waldron and Mr. Macken who, in fairness, gave what one could only call an indictment of the NTA. I also accept their comments about the necessity of stimulus and grant aid and possibly even to facilitate some people leaving the industry. Insurance was, however, a big issue long before we started this. I have two quick questions. I could be using the wrong terminology but a taxi driver who lives close to me in Dundalk had a limousine-type policy. His insurance premium jumped from approximately €1,400 to more than €3,200.

He expected a slight jump, but this seems astronomical. He wondered whether this was happening across the industry, particularly, regarding those types of policies and whether that is an attempt by insurance companies to basically get rid of that type of policy.

Another taxi driver came to me who had difficulty with regard to changing his policy. He was not allowed to change his policy for the period but was only allowed to defer the payment, which he did for three months. His policy is up for renewal in August and he was told that unless he pays the three months straight up, the company would not quote him. This is a company he has been with for ten years. He was willing to offer a deal of paying that three-month figure over ten months which I think is fair enough. This industry is being put upon and, once again, the insurance companies are failing miserably. I want to know what the witnesses expect regarding the NTA and others, including the Government. What needs to be done about that? It is an issue I will be bringing directly to the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming.