John Kelly (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Recently, we have seen many people object to paying water charges. They have every right to object. Couples object because it would cost them an extra €160 a year net, when one takes the water conservation grant into account. Single people object to paying €60 when one takes the grant into consideration. Others who have nothing to pay also object. The main protagonists are acting on the basis of what water rates could be in perhaps five years' time.

However, we have a bigger problem in this country that is affecting families, namely, the exorbitant cost of car insurance, home insurance and health insurance. All of those costs appear to have increased this year by between 25% and 30% with no explanation. Car insurance has increased by €300 this year. I know several people who paid €450 last year and their car depreciated in the year, they had no claim, no penalty points and with no explanation whatsoever, they have been asked to pay €750 this year. A constituent of mine who claimed on their home insurance for a broken iPad was paid only €150 when the excess was taken into account and his insurance went up by €300. When he questioned his insurers he was told that if he paid back the €150 his premium would be reduced by €300.

Something is going on that is not being monitored. There is no evidence to suggest that the increase in premia are due to higher payouts of compensation. In fact, there is a difference of €1 billion between the premium income and the published awards. To address this problem the Government set up the Motor Insurance Advisory Board in 1984. It last reported to Government in 2004. It was shut down and the responsibility was transferred to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. If one goes to the Department's website, there is no section dealing with motor insurance policy. It appears there is no monitoring body and consequently insurance companies can hike up policies indiscriminately. They show no loyalty to their customers. It is important that people shop around and that the Leader would call on the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to come to the House to have a debate on this issue with a view to re-establishing the Motor Insurance Advisory Board.