Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

The consumer gains nothing from it. The only people who gain from the process are the insurance companies. They clean up because of the reduction in fraudulent claims, which has nothing to do with the PIAB, and increased competition in the market. I speak for the ordinary claimant and consumer who is met with delay. Mr. Devoy of the TEEU represents ordinary claimants who find the process a fiasco.

I will make a sporting offer to the Minister. Will the Minister forget the rhetoric he is fed by the representatives of the board and accept a case exists for an independent review of its operations? That is all I want. An independent review is necessary. The Minister and those involved in the board are blinded to the facts of the situation. I will be happy if the Minister agrees to an independent review of the operations of the board which, I repeat, has not produced its annual report.

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