Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I congratulate the Tánaiste on bringing this Bill forward. Everybody in this country is currently an expert on the problems of insurance. There is not a house in Ireland without a young driver who cannot get insurance. We are not specifically dealing with that problem today, but this legislation will deal with that issue, we hope, on 1 June 2004. Everyone knows about the businesses that are unable to pay for insurance. Some of them are operating on self-insurance, without any cover. The problem of insurance is huge.

This is an issue for all parties, which have put forward points of view on it. In 1986, a committee chaired by the former Deputy Ivan Yates of Fine Gael looked at it, produced a report and did things which are reflected in this legislation. In 1996, another committee chaired by Deputy Rabbitte did something similar and said things that are reflected in the proposed legislation. In 2002, the then Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Treacy, published the report of the Motor Insurance Advisory Board. That led directly to this Bill. The Tánaiste has been as good as her word in dealing with this issue and bringing forward this legislation against all odds. There has been nothing but objections, obstacles and blocks in the path of this legislation. It is now before us and I believe that, in the long term, it will mean easier access to insurance, lower premium levels and a more honest society in dealing with insurance claims.

Having thanked the people who put this together, in particular Dorothea Dowling, chairperson of the committee who has worked morning, noon and night, including at weekends, to get this done, I ask the Tánaiste to convey our thanks to the staff of her Department who worked so hard to enable this legislation to be brought forward. It is important to recognise that point. I am aware of some of the work they did, but I only know the tip of the iceberg.

The crucial question raised by Senator Leyden, the Bar Council, the Law Society and everyone else is whether it will work. This is the easy part. It is like "Mission Possible". It will self-destruct and wither on the branch if it does not work. It never needs to be stood on – either it delivers or it will die. It is as simple as that. If it is not doing the business and cases are not being settled at the level proposed in four or five years, it will no longer have a function.