Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

With regard to Senator Buttimer's remarks, I have already responded on the call for a debate on the future of politics. I fully agree with the Senator's sentiments on job creation.

Senator Glynn called for a debate on insurance premia, including for public liability, employers' liability and commercial and private motor insurance. As the Senator stated, there has been a huge increase in the cost of insurance. As the person who chaired the insurance inquiry for four years, from 2003 to 2007, I certainly do not understand why the cost of insurance premia is now increasing. Our colleague, Deputy Willie Penrose, will be examining this matter as Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

My advice to the public is to shop around for insurance. Given that I am still very closely involved with the insurance industry and that the committee I chaired worked for four years to lower the cost of insurance and save tens of millions of euro for the premium holders in 2007, I conclude that customers should go back to their brokers and determine whether they can get a better deal. I understand brokers are now doing very good work to lower premia for premium holders. If the premium holders do not know where to go and have no recourse, they should ask a different broker to obtain a quotation. Although circumstances may have been different in the past, my dealings with brokers have been pretty successful.

Senator Quinn referred to illegal cigarettes and the confiscation thereof by Customs and Excise and the Garda. I certainly agree with the Senator's sentiments, including on the need for bar codes on medicines and other products. This is certainly a very good idea and I fully support the call.