Anthony Lawlor (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Over the past couple of weeks I have met various groups, farmers, businesspeople, publicans, hoteliers and individuals, all about the rapid increases in the cost of insurance. Some publicans have told me that, over the past three years, their insurance costs have risen by 33% while a hotel owner has told me that, this year, his insurance cost has risen by 50%. I also asked them about payouts and claims. When will the Judicial Council Bill 2017 be back before the House? How quickly will we enact it? Will it have the teeth required to compel the Judiciary to reduce the amount of the awards they are giving, particularly for soft tissue and whiplash injuries?