Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to highlight the alarming state of affairs which results in tens of thousands of roadworthy vehicles being prematurely scrapped every year. It is a growing phenomenon. The rate at which it is happening this year means there will be a 129% increase on the number of vehicles scrapped last year. The big concern is it is not driven by a road safety issue per se, because all vehicles on the road have to have a certificate of roadworthiness, but by the fact insurance companies are universally refusing cover or quoting exorbitant premia for vehicles that are ten years old or older. The consequence is it is not economically viable to insure them and people have to replace their vehicles. Something stinks in this regard.

From an environmental point of view, it takes a lot of energy and carbon emissions to produce a vehicle. We have an NCT system in place to ensure vehicles are roadworthy. If we accept a vehicle is roadworthy, we have to be concerned if cars are being put off the road by insurance companies because it does not suit their agenda.