Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State referred to working groups and consultation groups, but this has been going on for more than 18 months. I know that during the interregnum when the Government was being formed, it went off and took everyone for a fast ride around the country and the insurance companies. I read the figures and I will read them again. Last year Allianz, Europe's biggest insurer, reported record operating profits of €10.8 billion. Aviva Ireland reported an increase of 32% in its profits. It is no time for talking, it is time for action. The Government should deal with it. The Government is just tickling the Law Society by inviting its representatives in to talk to them. They have been robbing people for years. This is legalised robbery and is forcing people to drive uninsured. If they have accidents, ordinary motorists are paying the price.

My insurance went up by 50% this year and I will put up with that but there is even less cover for young drivers and everything else. I am talking about business insurance. Many jobs are being lost on a daily basis. Last year the road hauliers got a break with the motor tax. Now the insurance companies have decided to hijack them and double their insurance in some cases. Last week the president of the Irish Road Hauliers Association, Verona Murphy, whom I admire, asked why road hauliers are not allowed to access the European Single Market for insurance as commercial entities, noting that there is no competition in the Irish market. Do we need reports, consultations, sub-groups, committees and weekly meetings going on to the end of the year to find the answer? We all know what is going on. It is a cartel and a racket. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it is a duck. It is a racket and it is daylight robbery.

Ms Murphy added that about 43% of trucks in Ireland now have foreign registered plates. That is telling. We are losing the tax and customs revenue. Some 30% of Irish operators are now based abroad. Are we going to allow this like the flight of the earls? We need to wake up and smell the coffee. The Government needs to call in the insurance companies and deal with them. There is no point in rubbing butter on a fat sow's backside, which is what is going on. It is pure plunder and rape of our business, our industry, our young people, our families and our economy, and it has to be stopped now. There is no point in having working groups, mojos, jojos and everything else. We need action. We are elected by the people to represent them to stop this racket and cartel. We put up with it with Larry Goodman and we put up with it with the banks. This is one we cannot put up with because it will drive our country into the abyss.

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