Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 87: To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the media reports that an insurance company (details supplied) is refusing to provide cover to certain people based on their addresses; if this practice is legal; the recourse available to members of the public who have been refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25275/09]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 88: To ask the Minister for Finance the action he will take regarding reports that an insurance company (details supplied) will not provide insurance cover or policies to citizens in certain districts of Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway solely based on their postal addresses; the steps he is taking to address this discriminatory policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25295/09]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Finance if he will direct the Financial Regulator to review the licence of an insurance company that will not offer insurance cover or policies to citizens in certain districts of Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway solely based on their postal addresses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25296/09]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 87, 88 and 92 together.

These questions deal with reports that an insurance company is refusing to provide cover to certain people based on their addresses. At the outset, the Deputies should note that in my role as the Minister for Finance I have responsibility for the development of the legal framework governing financial regulation. The day to day responsibility for the supervision of financial institutions is a matter for the Financial Regulator which is statutorily independent in the exercise of its regulatory functions.

I am aware of the reports referred to by the Deputies. The Financial Regulator has informed me that it cannot compel insurers to quote for business. The decision to provide any specific form of insurance cover and the price at which it is offered is a commercial matter based on the assessment an insurer will make of the risks involved. Therefore the Regulator has informed me that there is no basis for a review of a company's licence for a failure to quote.

The Financial Regulator has also indicated that it has no role in relation to issues of pricing or the scope of cover provided by insurance companies. In addition, the Consumer Protection Code does not address the issue of the non-provision of insurance services based on an insurer's commercial assessment.

There are, however, some options open to persons who find themselves in this position. Firstly, they can contact the Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) which administers a Declined Cases Agreement. This is adhered to by all motor insurers in Ireland. Under the agreement, the insurance market will not refuse to provide insurance to an individual seeking insurance, if he/she has approached at least three insurers and has not been able to obtain cover from them. Details of this scheme can be found on the IIF website. The second option open to consumers in such circumstances is to refer any unresolved complaint to the Financial Services Ombudsman for investigation and adjudication.