Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am supportive of the measures that are being taken but I have a big issue with insurance companies. Young drivers - I must declare an interest because there is one in my family - now take the mandatory 12 driving lessons and sit their test, which has been tightened up considerably. The whole process is expensive. They take their test, pass it, put up their N plate and then they look for insurance, but they are penalised and victimised before they even get on the road. I am all for them being penalised and victimised if they have accidents or drive unaccompanied while on a provisional licence and so forth. However, when they try to operate within the law, they should not be penalised. They take the initiative to do the training, sit the exam, complete the 12 lessons and sit and pass the test to get a licence, but the insurance quotes are exorbitant. They can get a car for €3,000 but the insurance could be €10,000. They are victimised by the insurance companies before they are allowed on the road. They are being penalised even though they have not had an accident, have not driven for even 1 kilometre and have not made any mistakes. If they go on the road and are reckless, are caught speeding or are involved in a crash, they are penalised and we all accept that. Insurance companies penalise them and hike up their insurance.

Young people are being quoted astronomical prices. The prices are simply unaffordable and could not be paid by any family. We cannot keep passing legislation favouring the big insurance companies. We have had many debates in this House on the insurance industry and a report was recently published by the Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach on the industry here. It is a total rip off and I have said that before. We are seeing the victimisation of young people who show energy and enthusiasm and who make the effort to do things properly, to get the lessons and become qualified drivers. As soon as they get their piece of paper for the windscreen, they are penalised savagely by most of the insurance companies. No matter where they go, they cannot get an affordable quote. They end up becoming named drivers on their parents' insurance with a huge loading on the policy. There is a very serious inequity here. Young people are not being supported or recognised for doing the right thing. They get the required number of lessons, complete their driver education and training, become road safety aware and get their licence, but what thanks do they get? They are victimised. This is resulting in some opting to drive without insurance, which cannot be tolerated. Surely some respect and support should be given to young drivers. The Department must consider some initiative to ensure those learner drivers who do things properly, who make the effort and are deemed to be safe drivers by testers who are recognised by the Road Safety Authority and the Department obtain a licence that is of use to them.

I ask the Minister to consider this issue carefully. He has grandchildren of his own who will be affected, as do many Deputies in this House. We meet young people every week who want to get to work, to college and to travel independently. They want to contribute to our economy and enable it to flourish. The insurance industry should not be victimising young people who do not deserve to be punished because they have done nothing wrong. They are made criminals before they start.

See this speech in context