Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I want to raise two issues. The first is that in the course of the last week the new penalty points system for motoring offences was introduced. The House should ask the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to express his outrage at the further exploitation of drivers with the announcement of one insurance company, Axa, that it will increase the cost of insurance on the basis of penalty points. No one would object if the company also decreased them by the same degree for drivers in the opposite position. The penalty points system is meant to lead to safer roads and, as a consequence, lower insurance premia. My outrage is shared by all Senators. We should make it clear to the companies concerned that this is unacceptable. They should be named and shamed for taking further advantage of hard pressed drivers. Will the Leader invite the Minister for the Environment and Local Government or the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, whichever is appropriate, to do that?

The issue raised by Senator Hayes is urgent. I wrote to the Cathaoirleach on this matter this morning, under the terms of Standing Order 29. Although I fully support Senator Hayes, I will not second his proposal because I understand the Cathaoirleach will allow me to come back on this issue in about an hour. I presume that in dealing with this as an urgent matter, as contemplated by the Standing Order, the Cathaoirleach will allow debate.