James Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I would like to be associated with Senator Nash's motion - I look forward to contributing on it later - on those who were treated so poorly by our State prior to 1993.

I was not going to address the following issue because I am always very reluctant to interfere in the affairs of other nations. I grew up in a country that admires America. I have admired much about its ethos, its willingness to fight for smaller nations and its willingness to place its men and women in danger for the freedom of others. We find ourselves with an American President who is prepared to separate children from their parents, a policy which harks back to much darker times. I agree with Senator Mark Daly when he says that friends must speak out. We are very close to the United State of America. This is an immoral, totally wrong practice that is utterly unnecessary. I call on the American President, not that he will listen much to me, to come to his senses and realise what he is doing. He is morally bankrupting the American people and their authority in the world and their standing internationally. If he does not see that, then he needs someone to advise him very strongly of his blind spot. I think of all those great Americans over the centuries who fought for freedom and human rights. They must be turning in their graves.

The major issue today is one which concerns businesses in particular. I refer to insurance. There are several things for which the Alliance for Insurance Reform has asked. The alliance represents the small and medium-sized enterprises that are the backbone of the nation and our economy. The setting up of a Garda insurance fraud unit funded by the insurance industry was well advanced and now there are question marks hanging over it. I am calling on the Minister to come in and explain why this will not be done. It wants sections 25 and 26 of the Civil Liability Act to be linked so exaggerated and misleading claims are automatically forwarded to the gardaí for further investigation. When the judiciary exceeds the book of quantum, an explanation should be given for why an award that would not normally be given was given. If those three things can be done, we would go a long way to addressing what has become a minor industry of people making fraudulent claims with absolutely no incentive not to do it again the next day. I hope the Leader will be able to prevail upon the relevant Minister to come in and address the House on the issue because it is a matter of huge concern.