Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I ask the Minister of State to bring this down to brass tacks. Will he tell us where we are with the leisure industry? It is currently the most acutely affected sector, in which people are finding they cannot get quotes as their policies come up for renewal, and those businesses are closing every day. This is not a big bang because the policies are coming up for renewal at different times but it is happening across the country and we are seeing events being cancelled because these providers are simply not in a position to offer services because they cannot get insurance. Will the Minister of State tell us in practical terms what is being done to engage with the insurance industry to ensure that cover is available at affordable rates? I do not have any faith that we will see these new personal injury guidelines any time this year and I am not sure we will see them even next year, so I do not see where the hope is for people whose policies are up for renewal.

Finally, has the Minister of State any further information on the insurance fraud co-ordination unit within An Garda Síochána that has been announced? Can he give a reassurance that the necessary funding and resources will be made available in order that it can become operational and effective?

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