Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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619. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the sharp rise in the cost of motor insurance in 2015; the causes of this; his plans to address the spiralling cost of car insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18142/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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​Third Party motor insurance is required under the Road Traffic Acts for the use of all mechanically propelled vehicles in a public place.  

Motor insurance costs as measured by the CSO, and available from the CSO StatBank, have increased by 4% from January to  March 2015, but motor insurance costs in March 2015 still remain almost 15% below the prevailing level in 2003.  The establishment of the Injuries Board in 2003, the enactment of the Civil Liabilities and Courts Act 2004, and the improvement in road safety have all been significant factors in reducing motor insurance costs over the past decade or so.

While I am concerned with the recent trend towards increasing motor insurance costs, motor insurance is provided by private companies in an open and competitive market and the setting of motor insurance prices is a matter for the industry and I have no role in the regulation of insurers.

I am confident that the implementation of the actions set out in the Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020 will, over time, lead to a reduction in road traffic collisions, fatalities and injuries which will further assist in reducing the cost of motor insurance.

Encouragingly, as of Friday 8 May 2015 there were 14 fewer deaths as a result of road collisions than in the same period last year.

Consumers are encouraged to seek quotes and compare costs at the time of insurance renewal and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission () publishes information to assist  consumers in purchasing motor insurance.