Eamon Scanlon (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Michael Ahern, back to the House. The Competition Authority's report has been critical of insurance brokers. This is a little unfair because it takes the spotlight off insurance companies which have increased premiums at the rate of 100%, 200% and 300% over the past number of years. In fairness, the Government has done everything in its power, through the Motor Insurance Advisory Board report and the Personal Injuries Assessment Board Bill which has passed through both Houses, to reduce the number of claims and the number of accidents occurring.

The brokers' association must take a little responsibility here. Despite the fact that premiums have risen considerably over the past number of years, the commissions paid on these premiums to brokers stands at 5% for motor insurance and 9% for public liability insurance. Brokers should do more to show greater transparency in their dealings with the general public. People are concerned because there seems to be secrecy about the commissions paid. When they issue renewals there are obligations on the brokers to show the products and the companies for whom they work, but I agree with Senator O'Toole that the brokers could do much to improve their position in the insurance market and to make it more transparent.

The brokers do a good job. As I stated at the outset, I would not like to see the insurance companies get off the hook here. Reading the report, one would think that all the problems lead back to the brokers. They do not. However, the brokers could do much more to improve their own position.