Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Anybody who says there is no urgency in relation to insurance is wrong. Deputy Pearse Doherty is wrong. It is very rare but everybody in this House, the other House, those in government and in opposition, is putting his or her shoulder to the wheel to try to rectify the insurance sector. I have complimented every Member in this House and in the other House for the co-operation that exists on insurance. I do that on all occasions because it is fair and right. Everyone wants this matter concluded but the biggest issue remains to be addressed, namely, the level of awards. The Judicial Council Bill has moved from Committee Stage in Seanad Éireann to Report Stage.

I mixed up the date on the last occasion, saying that it would be done before the end of March. The matter moved back into the Seanad on 2 April. I have set a date by which I want to achieve this, and it can be achieved with the help of the Members of the Houses, by getting the judicial council Bill through Seanad Éireann and Dáil Éireann prior to end of the summer session. I have asked for an early signature motion on this so that we can move towards the establishment of the judicial council and allow for the establishment of a committee to consider personal injury assessment guidelines for that legislation.

This is crucial legislation and will impact on awards. High awards mean high premiums. I am asking that the Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach, before we conclude the legislation in both Houses, asks all the insurance companies to appear before it. The committee should put hard questions to those companies if we do our bit to put the structure and legislation in place to allow the re-calibration of the book of quantum guidelines in line with the recommendations of the personal injuries commission. I will do it in private, but I am asking the Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, and Taoiseach, to do it in public.

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