Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am asking the serious questions. I have already initiated meetings with all the insurance companies. I have met one already and I will be meeting the remainder of them in the coming weeks. I will forcefully impress upon them our expectation that they do need to pass on savings, based on the reforms that have been initiated. We want to see a further reduction in consumer premiums. Premiums remain high in many cases, but the Deputy fails to acknowledge that in some instances people who were not getting insurance previously are now getting premiums. New competition has entered the market. Those operating in areas such as equestrian sports, the inflatables industry and children's play areas who did not get insurance in the past are now getting it. Progress has been made, although I accept that it is not enough. That is the reason for the very strong commitment in the programme for Government to continue to build on the progress to ensure that we can bring down the cost of insurance.

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