Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is a clear commitment in the programme for Government to deal with the issue of insurance, particularly insurance for younger drivers. Where I live in the north west, and in many parts of rural Ireland, when jobs become available. young people often have to drive because there is no other way of getting to work. When they try to insure a car, they find themselves being quoted €8,000 or more. I met one young person who was quoted €4,000 to get on their mother's car insurance as a named driver, which is ridiculous. A programme was set up to examine this issue but we are back to the same position again. Insurance companies are closing down opportunities for young people to get insured and get on with their lives. It is time to take a firm hand with this. Something must be done to ensure that people can get insurance in order that they can drive cars in rural Ireland.

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