Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Michael McGrath for bringing forward the motion and giving us the opportunity to highlight the issue. I listened to the Minister of State intently. In part, the motion was brought forward to enable us as an Opposition party to do our duty by holding the Government to account as the insurance business affects people's lives. The cost of insurance impacts on households, individuals and businesses and is crippling people. As Deputy Eugene Murphy said, it is impacting on people who are going out to work and those living in rural Ireland.

When Deputy Michael McGrath tabled the motion last week, I put it up on Facebook. It is one of the few political motions I have posted and it received traction it Australia among emigrants who were thinking of returning home. They have received insurance quotes of approximately €5,800. There are skill shortages across the country and they have skills we need. We are targeting them, but they are focusing on what would it cost them to re-establish themselves here and the cost of insurance is a factor.

The Minister of State spoke about meeting those involved in the sector. A few months ago I spoke about a business located on the banks of the River Shannon. It involves a pub and a restaurant. Last year it received an insurance quote of €7,500. Because it had made a small claim, it was unable to get a quote elsewhere. There are only three providers in the market who will provide this insurance cover, as the Minister of State is well aware. The premium increased from €7,500 to €50,000 which following long discussions the business had reduced to €15,500.

It is not acceptable for the Minister of State to reject the motion merely because we are holding the Government to account. Three out of ten action points have not yet been completed. It is our role as an Opposition party to hold the Government to account. We told the people that we would be a voice for them and I was hoping we could all continue to work together.

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