Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand Senator Barrett's frustration with insurance companies. My insurance is due in the middle of next month. I have got my documentation and just noticed that it went up by 23.5% in 12 months. It is worrying. I do not know whether the legislation under discussion would help people in that situation. The biggest problem is that the awards are too much, as the PIAB says. I do not know if the Minister can commission a report or if it is even a matter for his Department.

We all know that whiplash in Ireland is worth €15,000 when in the UK it is worth £3,000. People are going to be priced out of the market. As Senator Barrett has pointed out, uninsured drivers are a big problem. If costs continue to rise, people will not be able to afford insurance. It is going to be like health insurance, except that there is a public system in place so that those without health insurance get treated. If a driver crashes into somebody without insurance, it will be the rest of the general public who will pay for it.

I do not think the Minister can provide for these matters in this Bill. Hopefully he will be back as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, in which case I would ask that he commission a report on the insurance industry and why the costs have risen so much. The general public and young people are being priced out of the market and the PIAB has always said that the awards are too high. I do not think we can put it into this legislation but I accept and understand Senator Barrett's sentiments in this matter.