Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise to the issue of housing legislation. I know that there are statements today but what is important is legislation, which can effect change. The Government promised legislation on housing but the Bill has not yet been published and has not gone through pre-legislative scrutiny. The Government made a call to the private sector on its proposals on off-balance sheet initiatives. Trying to get information on that from anybody working in the housing sector has become impossible. Could we get clarity on when the legislation on housing will be brought forward?

The next issue relates to insurance. Again, legislation was promised by Government on the insurance industry. In 2017 there was an 11% increase in premiums and since 2012 there has been a 31% increase in premiums. There is the ongoing investigation by the European Union into the Irish insurance industry which seems to be a cartel run by the industry. The establishment of a national claims database was a key recommendation. We were promised the legislation on it would be enacted by 2017 but the Bill has not been introduced and there is no timeframe.

What we have is a lot of activity, which is only masquerading as action. We all agree the Government needs to bring forward the legislation on housing, a promise on which it has not delivered. The Government said it would do something on insurance cost, which is a cost for motoring, housing and business.

A group affected by this is Men's Sheds, which has faced massive increases in its insurance costs. Many of the Men's Sheds will close down. It will affect about 10,000 people who use Men's Sheds, which are very important for social interaction among people who feel isolated and vulnerable. Men's Sheds also do much good in their communities in terms of projects and yet are being shut down by our insurance industry. What I outlined last week should be borne in mind. Some 10% of the money paid out by the insurance company goes to the claimant and the person injured while 90% goes in costs and outlay to the legal industry.

I do not have to point out that when the troika was here that was one of the key reforms it sought in regard to costs of doing business in Ireland and in ensuring people got access to justice and that they were be able to afford justice. At the moment people simply cannot afford justice and this is having a detrimental effect on the wider economy in terms of people insuring their homes and motor cars and on the Men's Sheds.

What I see are lots of promises of legislation on insurance and housing but nothing coming forward. There is a huge backlog of Bills at the justice committee. I think at the last count there was a backlog of nearly 100 Bills to go to this committee but there is no chance that many of those will ever see the light of day.