John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister of State is not, but if he goes into an insurance broker and asks why his insurance premium has gone up from €500 to €1,000, that broker can easily give the reasons. The broker is dealing with a bigger company and can have the reasons explained. The day we insist that an insurance company must explain increases in premiums to its customers is the day we will get transparency. I know it is a small thing. Imagine something that costs €20 in one shop that is for sale down the road for €15 and it is exactly the same product. The explanation of that price difference is what gives rise to the transparency that is necessary.

I am not saying the Minister of State can force them to do it. I am just saying that the insurance companies seem so reluctant to co-operate on the most basic of things, that being one of them. This committee and working group need to put more pressure on them to respond more quickly.