John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

For fear that the witnesses might think that Deputy Doherty is the only one with such views on the insurance industry in Ireland, I want to say that I have not experienced decreases for insurance cover, either for businesses that I know that have complained to me, or for individual motorists, although some have. In the main, regardless of what statistics the witnesses quote, I hear more complaints about increases or lack of decreases than about anything else. The insurance companies have an awful lot to do to improve what they are at and to bring about a reduction in insurance costs. There are many events in communities, including sporting events, that are affected and it is not just as simple as the insurance going up. They cannot function and they cannot hold the event.

As I said, I firmly believe that there is a lot to be done by Insurance Ireland members to convince the public that they are doing their best and passing on reductions. There is very little competition in the marketplace. Ms Murdock said that it is not an attractive market. Does Insurance Ireland provide information to possible newcomers to the market? To what extent does that cover all of the issues? Does Insurance Ireland just give them information that will put them off asking for further information or is it eager to get more competition in the market?