Mr. Kevin Thompson:

It would be to the disadvantage of the customer if this practice exists. In our view, in the current environment in which we operate, people are looking for a premium which they can afford, which in itself instils an element of competition into the marketplace. If we look at employer liability, public liability and even motor insurance, these are annually renewable contracts. The contracts come up for renewal every year, they are brought to the market at a moment in time and companies compete for that business. There is competition within the marketplace which, to my mind, does not support the practice the Deputy indicated may exist, but which we have no knowledge of.