Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 1:

After "drivers" to insert the following:

"recognising–

–that the major determinant of the price of insurance in Ireland is the cost of personal injuries claims;

–the proportion of the cost of claims accounted for by legal costs;

–the cyclical nature of the insurance market;

–commends the action of the Government in undertaking a comprehensive set of measures by a number of Government Departments as contained in the Agreed Programme for Government to bring about a reduction in the cost of insurance,

–commends the initiative which the Tánaiste has undertaken with the Competition Authority, on a study of competition in the provision of non-life insurance, with particular reference to motor insurance, employers' liability and public liability insurance, including the factors inhibiting foreign insurers from entering the Irish market.

–recognises the importance of the implementation of the recommendations of the Motor Insurance Advisory Board (MIAB), the priority which the Government attaches to their implementation and to the establishment of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board,

–commends the Government's introduction of a system of penalty points for speeding offences,

–notes a decline in the number of fatalities and in the number of serious injuries on the roads between 1997 and 2001 and, more recently, since the introduction of the penalty points system.

I thank Senators Ross and O'Toole, who are experienced in both business and insurance, for their contributions. I would like us to agree on a motion of the House so that there is no division. I accept the bona fides of both speakers and appreciate that they are endeavouring to effect changes.