Results 5,661-5,680 of 9,148 for speaker:Jim O'Callaghan

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Dec 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: In his submission, Mr. Hassett stated that legal costs and processes must be seen in the context of the urgent need to reform our cost of claims. He is obviously aware from the Central Bank report that came out two days ago that the cost of motor claims came down 2.5% between 2009 and 2018, so is that statement correct?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Dec 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Does Mr. Hassett think the Central Bank report was helpful to this discussion about legal costs and awards?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Dec 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Does Mr. Hassett accept the finding of the Central Bank report that the cost of claims per policy has reduced by 2.5% in respect of motor claims between 2009 and 2018?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Dec 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Does Mr. Hassett accept that figure?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Dec 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Does Mr. Hassett accept that the premium per policy has increased by 42% between 2009 and 2018 on motor insurance?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Dec 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Does Mr. Hassett accept that the claims frequency between 2009 and 2018 has reduced by 40%?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Dec 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Does Mr. Hassett accept that profits in the industry are at 9%?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Dec 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: The profits at present in the motor insurance industry are at 9%. Is that correct?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Dec 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Does Mr. Hassett accept that?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Dec 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: It was stated in the submission from Insurance Ireland that, when it came to whiplash awards being much higher in Ireland than the UK, and I accept that, this was "a very stark fact and one which cannot continue to be ignored". Does Mr Hassett agree that the fact that the insurance industry is making profits of 9% on motor insurance is also a very stark fact that cannot continue to be ignored?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Dec 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Mr. Hassett is perfectly entitled to make that claim. The assessment and explanation given by the insurance industry in Ireland is that the reason we have high premiums in motor insurance is because of high awards, fraudulent claims and legal costs. Would Mr. Hassett accept that another reason we have high premiums in Ireland is because the profits of the insurance industry are too high...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Dec 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Do we know-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Dec 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Does Mr. Hassett think there is enough competition in the Irish insurance sector?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Dec 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I am sorry for going on and I will finish now. I agree with Mr. Hassett on the legal costs. Looking at the Central Bank report, we can see the legal costs are reasonable when cases are resolved at the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, PIAB, or even before that stage. It is when cases are litigated that the legal costs become too large. They are too high a percentage of the award. Does...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Dec 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: All the Central Bank report has looked at is the motor insurance business. Does Mr. Hassett know if there is going to be a similar report on public liability insurance, which is a major issue? Is the Central Bank undertaking such a report?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Dec 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: Is it known what insurance companies' profits are for public liability claims?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality: Access to Justice and Legal Costs: Discussion (Resumed) (18 Dec 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: I thank Mr. Hassett.

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: European Arrest Warrant (17 Dec 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: 248. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of requests received under the European arrest warrant Act 2003 that sought the extradition of persons for human trafficking and or human smuggling offences in each of the years 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52557/19]

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Ministerial Functions (17 Dec 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: 270. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the process upon which a scheme may be designated under section 2A(7) of the Landlord and Conveyancing Law Reform (Amendment) Act 2019; his plans to create regulations for the designation of such schemes; the number of schemes designated since the commencement of section 2A; and if he will make a statement on the matter....

Written Answers — Department of Children and Youth Affairs: Child and Family Agency Data (17 Dec 2019)

Jim O'Callaghan: 640. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of refuge places available by county in tabular form; her plans to increase the number in line with the obligations under the Istanbul Convention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52718/19]