Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State's engagement with the joint committee. The work of the committee has been helpful in creating a broader understanding and delving into the issues surrounding the substantial increase in insurance costs. I ask the Minister of State to provide the joint committee with the documents to which he referred at the earliest opportunity in order that we can have a full and rounded discussion prior to the publication of the final report.

I would welcome if that could take place at an early opportunity. The Minister of State knows my position about the motor insurance industry and I have made a submission on it. There are several actions that can be done simply. For example, the Department plans to improve the motor insurance compensation framework. This should be implemented as soon as possible. This is one of the issues referred to us both privately and in the committee by the industry that will give some certainty.

There is also legal services legislation that allows for regulations that will give a greater choice to the claimant in terms of solicitors. The courts Act 2004 needs to be reviewed to see if it is contributing to costs in the sector. Transparency, the buzzword, needs to be central to whatever recommendations the Minister of State will make. From our point, we will certainly work with the Minister of State in the recommendations. We hope they will be substantial enough to deal with a reversal in the increases in premiums, rather than just sustaining them.

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