Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)

I fully support this motion, which rightly calls out the Government's failure to tackle the rip-off culture that has existed in the insurance industry for many years. I have stood in this Chamber previously to highlight the burden that sky-rocketing insurance premiums place on ordinary people. In November 2023, I asked the Minister for Finance why a constituent's motor insurance had increased so drastically. The answer referred to market trends and risk profiles, but what about fairness and accountability?

Let me remind the House of a case I raised here in the Dáil. A man with full, comprehensive health insurance - it is not just car insurance we should be talking about - who was battling cancer was denied access to pembro, a life-saving medication. It was only after I raised the issue publicly that the insurance company finally gave in. What about those who do not have someone to speak up for them?

We are now facing a three-tier healthcare system in this country. If you have insurance, you are offered the treatment. If you have insurance but the company refuses to pay, you are left fighting. If you are on a medical card, you are not even offered the option. This is not just inequality; it is inhumane. It is a system that puts profit before people and it must be dismantled.

Motor insurance costs have risen by more than four times the rate of inflation and health insurance now costs families nearly €2,000 a year. That is not just unsustainable; it is unjust. While claims-related costs have dropped, premiums continue to rise. Business and community groups are paying more for less. I know it because I am in plenty of community groups. It is astonishing. The price of insurance is incredible for the voluntary work they are trying to do. This is not reform; this is exploitation.

Independent Ireland is a party that stands for commonsense and fairness. Our manifesto calls for real oversight of profiteering industries. We propose a Department of efficiency and reform, staffed by experts from the private sector, to root out waste and ensure value for money. We support the Judicial Council (Amendment) Bill 2021, which would ensure that the benefits of personal injury reforms are passed on to consumers, not pocketed by insurers. We demand Oireachtas oversight of personal injury guidelines and insist that any future policy changes must result in lower premiums for the people of Ireland.

This Government boasts about the action plan for insurance reform. Some premiums have dropped since 2016, but the reality is that most people are still paying more and insurers are making disproportionate profits. We in the Independent Ireland party believe that insurance should protect, not punish. We call on the Government to stand up to insurance companies and demand fair pricing, address excessive profits in the sector, recognise the role of high insurance costs in driving the cost-of-living crisis, and ensure transparency and accountability in all future reforms.

As I have said previously, we must deliver for the people who elect us. That means fighting for fairness, for affordability and for reform that actually reaches the pockets of workers, families and communities.

There was mention of flood insurance earlier on. When new flood structures have been put in place, many people come to me to say they still cannot get insurance. When you are trying to buy a house, you are told straight up you will not be able to get insurance after buying the house even though the flood structures are in place. If it was previous to that, you would say something, but it is very unfair. The insurance companies need to be brought to task for that. Everybody wants to buy a home, but they want to have the comfort of at least being insured.

I would appreciate it if the Minister of State would look into these matters.

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