John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Michael McGrath for bringing forward the motion on business insurance. I acknowledge the presence of all those in the Visitors Gallery.

The arguments have been made and put in front of the Minister of State. The evidence is overwhelming and what we need now is action. There are 15 action points in the report on the cost of employer and public liability insurance that are due to be completed in the first half of this year. I ask the Minister of State to take action to implement them. We need to oblige insurers legally to provide a breakdown of the premium cost of the business and to provide more information to businesses on how premiums are calculated. We need to ensure the book of quantum is updated at least once every three years. We need to ensure the research on the book of quantum is based on medical evidence and cost, not solely on historical claims. We need to bring in tougher penalties, both financial and otherwise, for insurance fraud and claim exaggeration. We need to oblige insurance companies legally to notify policyholders of claims made against them before settlement, the amount a claim was settled for and the reason the claim was settled. We need to bring forward the deadline for the Department of Finance and the Central Statistics Office to report on the creation of a price index for employer and public liability insurance premiums and establish such an index. These are practical, doable suggestions. The time for talking is over. The time for action is now.

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