Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. The Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, and I are very much aware of that reality and the challenge many small businesses face with the rising cost of insurance. It is the reason this and the previous Government have had such a focus on this matter. It is the reason the Minister of State has worked previously with the former Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, and the current Minister for Justice, Deputy Humphreys, on the implementation of guidance for claims settled in court precisely to create an environment in which we are seeing more reasonable claims. That can lead to a change in the premiums that both the Deputy and this Government want to see.

There are many different elements within our action plan for insurance reform that are being delivered. So far, for example, we have made progress on the implementation of personal injuries guidelines and set up an office to promote competition. There is also work under way on the role of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board. There are many different elements on the way because we want to address the affordability of premiums and meet the needs of businesses that the Deputy raised.

See this speech in context