Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I commend my colleague, Deputy Michael McGrath, on bringing this motion forward.

Deputy Michael McGrath attended a public meeting in Kildare with me last November where many of the queries from the floor that night related to insurance. They came from concerned motorists, business owners and taxi drivers who described how the increases in premiums had affected their lives and their livelihoods. It is the biggest issue facing motorists today.

When I look at the case of some of my constituents in Kildare who have contacted me over the past 12 months, I can see how this has impacted on them. A gentleman from a haulage and demolition group saw the insurance for his fleet increase by 100% and he had to let staff go. A gentleman from Castledermot, who is 64 years of age, has been driving for more than 42 years, has never made an insurance claim and has no penalty points, saw his quote go up by 33%. A lady from Rathangan, who has been driving for 50 years, has never made a claim and has no penalty points, saw her premium go from €389 to €758. Another lady I know, who is a returned emigrant, had to pay €1,924 in 2016. She had never made a claim on her insurance but had spent three years outside Ireland and did not have a no-claims bonus on her return. That is disgraceful.

There needs to be greater disclosure around policy renewal notifications and robust action on false and exaggerated claims. There needs to be greater consistency in court awards in personal injury cases. Returning emigrants need equitable treatment and their driving experience abroad needs to be taken into account.

There is an obligation on the State to respond immediately to these soaring premiums before they do any further damage to the economy. We have debated it enough. It is time for action.

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