Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Kelleher has, in Deputy Butler, a good substitute in place for this afternoon's priority questions. I am very aware of the serious impacts on businesses and consumers of high insurance costs. It is important that consumers and businesses can obtain insurance cover at a reasonable and fair price.

The cost of insurance working group, chaired by my colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for financial services and insurance, Deputy D'Arcy, and associated subgroups have been continuing to meet regularly to ensure the focus remains fixed upon the timely implementation of all the recommendations of the report on the cost of motor insurance and the report on the cost of employer and public liability insurance. The work of the cost of insurance working group is complemented by the work of the Personal Injuries Commission. The first report of the Personal Injuries Commission was published in December 2017 and made four recommendations, of which two are ongoing. One recommendation is partially complete and the final recommendation, relating to the book of quantum, has been superseded by the Personal Injuries Commission's recommendation that a judicial council, when established, be requested by the Minister for Justice and Equality to compile judicial guidelines for appropriate general damages for various types of personal injury.

The second and final report made a further ten recommendations. While these are not timebound, I expect that they will be implemented as soon as possible by the relevant bodies. Following publication of this report, the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, wrote to relevant colleagues in the Government and other organisations seeking co-operation in advancing the implementation of the recommendations relevant to them. Progress on implementing the recommendations is reported on through the cost of insurance working group progress reports. Four of the recommendations relate directly to recommendations in the two cost of insurance working group reports. Of the remaining six, as at the end of 2018, one is complete and the remaining five recommendations, including two relating to the development of judicial guidelines, were under consideration by relevant organisations.

The Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Act 2019 came into effect on 3 April 2019 with the aim of strengthening the board in terms of operational issues to ensure greater compliance with the Personal Injuries Assessment Board process. This measure forms part of the Government’s response to facilitate cost savings in the claims environment.

The cumulative effects of the implementation of all the recommendations I have outlined, namely, the two reports of the Personal Injuries Commission, the reports of the cost of insurance working group and the measures contained in the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (Amendment) Act 2019, should bring greater consistency and predictability to awards, which is really important, and faster resolution of claims and ultimately, a reduction in insurance premiums. This will benefit consumers, businesses and society as a whole.

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