James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This Bill highlights a further example of Fianna Fáil trying to tackle rising insurance premiums. I commend my party colleague, Deputy Kelleher, on his work in this area. For the past several years, premiums for motor, public liability, house and health insurance have all risen. I have dealt with many small businesses in Enniscorthy, Gorey, New Ross and Wexford where insurance costs are crippling their opportunities to trade. Individuals, charities, community groups and sports clubs are also badly affected. Their insurance bills are a kick in the teeth for their honest hard work and, even more so, when those bills are going up because of fraud.

I want to specifically address the growing scam of cash-for-crash cases. They involve a set-up where a car is rolled into a wall or deliberately driven into the back of a friend's car to allow all involved put in claims. These manufactured collisions put other people's livelihoods of risk, risk injuries and drive up premiums. It is dangerous, reckless and relies on intimidation, theft, fraud, perjury and conspiracy. Those involved are not worried about being caught because, even if they are, there is no follow-up. The Garda claims it does not have the resources to follow up on these types of fraud.

Effectively, the con is on because these people are getting away with it. Until individuals are sent to prison, it will not stop. We need to see more action in this area to tackle those fraudsters, to see them brought before the courts and going to prison.

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