John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister, Deputies Moynihan and Colreavy and the members of the APHCI who are in the Visitors Gallery. The input of the APHCI members has been very constructive and that was reflected in the committee.

I respect what the Minister said and I agree with him that the CER is the independent body responsible for this area. However, common-sense recommendations have been made by the committee to solve a problem that obviously exists. Even the CER admits there is a problem. If that body needs new tools to deal with it, there should be a way of doing whatever needs to be done, whether that is heads being knocked together or legislation. Ultimately, that is the winning line for everybody - the public, public safety, the industry and for the legislation. If a disaster happened, and some disasters have happened where deaths have occurred, we would all scramble to ask why this or that was not done. Barriers and obstacles would be removed at that stage. My contention is that prevention is always better than cure. That is the main point.

To refer to what has happened since, there has been little or no progress, although some things are moving. I was happy on the day we launched the report that there was to be engagement between the APHCI and the CER on how to move forward. However, that has not happened.

One of the recommendations was that an independent expert or consultant be appointed to conduct a thorough investigation. The CER response to that is that the report does not state that the CER must appoint this independent expert. I can say on behalf of my colleagues that if it needs our authority because the report did not say it, there would be unanimous support for saying "Yes". Somebody must establish it and if the CER can do it, that is fine. The CER has admitted there is a problem, so we must get the facts. The APHCI has offered to share the cost of appointing somebody to examine it, if required. This matter must be advanced.

Regarding the recommendation that consideration be given to legislative change, I understand the steps that must be taken for legislative change. The CER has written to the Department in support of that recommendation so I hope that the required communication takes place. I hope it gets whatever tools it believes are required in this situation. These matters take time but if the CER supports that recommendation, progress must be made on it.

As regards engaging with Insurance Ireland, there are possibilities in whatever engagement that takes place in respect of the third recommendation. Making the provision of home insurance conditional, as the recommendation states, provides a simple solution. It would be helpful if something happened in this area. The CER has said its representatives have met Insurance Ireland, but what was the outcome of that?

The key issue here is that, at present, the CER is fully targeted at those who are registered. It is different in Northern Ireland where people who are not registered are actively pursued. There must be some type of change in the policy here. Again, if the CER requires extra tools to operate that, something must be put in place to facilitate it.

The report recommends that the cost of subscriptions payable by APHCI members to the RGII should be reviewed. I understand no review was carried out. The RGII has been re-appointed for another seven-year term, so obviously nothing has happened on that recommendation.

In summary, there is a problem here and recommendations have been made to solve it. There are obstacles but we must work together to secure a positive outcome for everybody. The Minister said the CER is accountable to the committee. I do not know who will be members of committees in a few months, but I would have assumed that the CER was responsible to the Minister rather than to us. Certainly, if I am a member or chairman of a committee in this area, I will engage with the CER again to follow up on this. The working group, which includes my two colleagues across the floor, will not let go of it until it is solved to everybody's satisfaction. This is far beyond party politics. It is an issue that must be resolved. All the stakeholders are constructively involved in it and we must continue that process until we get a satisfactory conclusion.

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