Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

I am simply stating that I agree with the point made by Senator Brian Hayes.

The meeting of the big three, for want of a better phrase, raises an important issue for us, particularly as we hold the Presidency of the European Union. Was the Taoiseach briefed or consulted as the current President? In that regard, there is a major issue for us as a small state within the European Union, particularly with ten relatively small states joining the Union on 1 May. It would be useful to debate the matter in this House.

We raised the matter of dormant accounts yesterday and sought clarification on the Government's intentions in that regard, which we have not received. Specifically, why has the Government changed its mind on a very important element of legislation only recently passed through the Houses? At the minimum, we are entitled to know why the Government has changed its mind on such a fundamental issue and also when that legislation will come forward. Will the Leader also indicate when the legislation on electronic voting will come forward given that the timeframe for its introduction is tight?

I ask the Leader to consider a review of the issue of insurance, which has been raised on a number of occasions in this House and is a matter of great public concern. I note there is coverage in the national media this morning of a report by the Competition Authority which indicates that the level of charges by insurance brokers to consumers has increased considerably and is now forming a substantial component of insurance charges. It is worrying to note, for instance, that most consumers do not know the percentage of their insurance payments that go in charges to brokers. As the Competition Authority states, there is clearly a need for reform. We have had considerable reform in the insurance area, but the level of profit and the level of charges by insurance brokers appears to have been ignored for whatever reason. It is clearly emerging as an important issue, and I ask the Leader of the House to consider it.