James Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply. I hope a Garda fraud squad for insurance is set up, although I am not vexed as to whether it is funded by the insurance industry or otherwise. Businesses are struggling in this country and SMEs, which are the backbone of our economy, are afraid to expand because they are not sure what their insurance premiums will be next year. We have nearly reached full employment but we could find ourselves sliding back very quickly if SMEs are afraid to expand. One has to have some degree of certainty. Brexit has brought us a considerable degree of uncertainty so let us have certainty over the areas where we have some control.I am given to understand by the Alliance for Insurance Reform that only one conviction has taken place in the last six years. Whether that is one conviction leading to incarceration or one conviction in total under the current Acts, it is an astonishing figure, knowing what we know is going on in this country.

Again, I emphasise and want to make it very clear there are many people who are genuinely injured and who have genuine claims, and this is in no way to cast aspersions on them or undermine their ability and right to receive proper and fair compensation. However, those who engage in fraudulent and exaggerated claims damage everyone, including those with genuine cases and people who are trying to make a living in this country.