Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Fianna Fáil has tabled this Bill in an effort to alleviate the crippling costs of insurance for homeowners, individuals and businesses, which is ultimately brought on as a result of false insurance claims. As the Minister is aware, the cost of living is very high and part of that is attributable to the cost of insurance. It is crippling people. Therefore, anything that can be done to alleviate this problem is very welcome.

Spiralling business and motor insurance costs are undermining the competitiveness of the State and putting businesses and households under severe pressure. In my constituency of Cork South-West, I have been inundated with people contacting me who quite simply cannot cover the cost of insurance for their property, be it their car, house or business, and often those who do manage to come up with the money are struggling financially in other parts of their lives.

As my colleague pointed out, anyone who suffers injury as a result of an accident is entitled to fair compensation. However, criminals who are all but making a career from false insurance claims need to feel the full force of the law. The very fact that premiums have increased by 31% since 2012 is indicative of a system that is lawless and without recourse. That coupled with the lack of any reasonable interactive method of recording information relating to those who make false claims is simply unbelievable in this day and age.

As the law stands, even those with false claim allegations levied against them may not face a legal action. This amendment will go a long way towards remedying this as a fundamental claim may be referred by the court to the DPP. I am glad that the Minister of State is supporting this Bill.

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