Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to add a general point. I welcome the Bill, which is another step in the right direction. We all agree we want premiums to come down and we also want access to insurance for businesses. That is part of the work that has been done in recent years by the Minister of State and the team in the Department, including successive Ministers before him. There has been a relentless focus on trying to reform the insurance market and many changes have been made by this committee and other committees in the past couple of years. It will all play its part. Naturally, we expect the insurance companies to play their part and to reduce the premiums in line with the commitments they gave. I know they will argue back with regard to inflation. We can certainly see that the big jumps that would have been feared probably are not happening, but we want it to go the other way too, and I know the Minister of State is determined to achieve that. It is important we tick all these boxes.

I am glad that focus is still there and the Bill we are dealing with today, while short, is significant. When it comes to motor insurance, great progress has been made in recent years but we want to build on that and put it across this space. I am glad the Bill is before us today. I know it is short and deals with amendments we all support but it keeps a focus on the work, which I know the Minister of State is committed to. I thank him for that.