Ollie Crowe (Fianna Fail)

Similar to Senator Fitzpatrick and Senator Nelson Murray, I raise the insurance issue again. It is vitally important to the hospitality sector, which I represent, and sectors across society. I reference general insurance and personal injury awards. As Members will be aware and as was outlined, the Cabinet is scheduled to consider recommendations from the Judiciary to increase personal injuries guidelines by 17% in the coming weeks. This increase needs to be considered carefully. I cannot agree with it, given the current trends, what we are hearing and the facts we know about the insurance market.

The Alliance for Insurance Reform released a survey yesterday which found that three quarters of small businesses and sporting, community and voluntary groups have seen their insurance premium rise over the past two years, despite Government reforms. All members of the House are contacted about this daily and it is hugely frustrating. Virtually none of the almost 800 such firms and groups that were surveyed by the Alliance for Insurance Reform believe that their insurance companies are passing on any savings to them. In government, we have a moral responsibility to do something about that. The survey also found that 76% of its respondents had not had a claim within the past two years. Four in five believed claims were unnecessarily extended by lawyers to increase their fees. Nine in ten said they have not benefited from the Government's action plan on insurance reform, while 67% of policyholders surveyed have seen added exclusions, increased excesses or both in recent years. As was pointed out, this means consumers are now paying more for less cover.

As we know, SMEs are the backbone of the Irish economy. Many of them are under considerable pressure. We are all being contacted about it and one of their greatest expenses is insurance. There is a duty on Government to carefully consider the impact this move will have. Obviously, it will increase premiums at a minimum. Such a move requires long, thoughtful debate rather than simply rubber-stamping it at Cabinet. I would be very grateful if the Deputy Leader of the House would raise these concerns with the Minister and request he joins us for a full discussion immediately on the matter.