Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Transport the action he is taking, to support competition in the general vehicle insurance market, and particularly in the insurance markets for motorcycles and wheelchair accessible hire vehicles. [35778/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Competition Policy issues are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and all Government Ministers are prevented by EU law from intervening in the motor insurance market. I would like to state that I welcome competition in the motor vehicle insurance market.

By means of the Government Insurance Reform Programme initiated in 2002, much has been achieved which has led to a fall in motor insurance premia of almost 31.5% between April 2003 and September 2006. Wheelchair accessible hire vehicles are classified within the general motor vehicles classification. Motor cycle insurance premia have not shown a similar reduction but have remained at the same level between February 2004 and September 2006 which means that motor cycle insurance premia have reduced in real terms.

Because of the number of fatalities and serious injuries among motor cyclists which result in high insurance claims, some motor insurance companies are reluctant to enter this segment of the motor insurance market.