Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I rise to highlight the issue of increased insurance costs. The current situation is totally unacceptable and unsustainable for many people. Premiums on insurance policies have increased by 30% or more in some instances. It is difficult to understand the reason this is happening at this time, given that figures revealed recently that insurance payouts in 2014 were €400 million, 36% less than in 2011. Given those figures, it is difficult to understand the reason for increased insurance premiums. The Government needs to take urgent action and establish a task force similar to that set up in the early 1990s. The the motor insurance advisory board was set up with a view to exploring and tackling the ever-increasing premiums at that time. That body was hugely successful and premiums were reduced by 30% or 40%. As this issue affects every household and motorist in the country, urgent action needs to be taken to identify the problem. I ask the Leader to convey our concerns to the Minister in order that this issue can be addressed sooner rather than later.