Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am happy to take up this issue in my role as Minister of State. The Deputy will appreciate I was not at this committee when he was making those points over the previous years.

There is legislation due which will allow the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to implement administrative fines without having to go to court. That legislation is referred to in our action plan. Up to now, it would have had to go through normal court procedures. It will be given legal authority in legislation early in the coming year to allow it to issue administrative levies directly to the companies.

I agree with the Deputy and it is one of the reasons I want to get the final report from the Central Bank this coming year on dual pricing. I agree that the insurance companies have treated their older customers as a soft touch. They get the renewal premium and send in the cheque.