Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising what is a very important issue for people and it is part of a wider agenda within Government to reduce costs for people in their ordinary lives. Insurance is a significant cost, whether one is in a household, motoring or in a business. The Deputy was correct to point to the reduction in motor insurance. This morning, the Government again adopted a significant road safety strategy for the coming years. It is interesting when one looks at the number of people who died on our roads 20 years ago compared to now. The number is stark - in other words, it is far fewer now. I stand corrected on the figures but it was something like 450 per annum but it is approximately 150 now, which is still too many. However, it illustrates what good strategies and reforms can achieve. I recall the howling in the House when the then Minister was introducing drink driving laws and so on. Deputies were opposing them. Noel Dempsey was the Minister at the time and the late Gay Byrne headed up the RSA. However, the results are there to be seen in reduced road fatalities and accidents. Strategies work. The agenda we have for insurance reform is comprehensive and will work, but we have to keep the focus on it and make sure it works and translates into reduced costs.

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