Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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99. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding recommendation 26 and action point 58 in the Report on the Cost of Motor Insurance; if moves have been made to enhance co-operation between the insurance sector and An Garda Síochána on insurance fraud investigation; the details on such moves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21380/17]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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The recommendations in the Report on the Cost of Motor Insurance are being progressed in accordance with the Action Plan contained in the Report.  The first quarterly progress update in respect of the implementation of the recommendations is now available on the Insurance Policy section of the Department of Finance’s website.

This update shows the progress to date on the overall implementation of the Report, with a particular focus on action points which were due for completion in the first quarter of 2017.

The implementation of Recommendation 26 requires An Garda Síochána to determine before the end of Q2 2017 whether there is a mechanism for further cooperation with the insurance industry in relation to fraud investigation.  With the agreement of the Garda Commissioner, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) within An Garda Síochána has engaged with Insurance Ireland with a view to examining a proposal that the Insurance industry would provide funding to set up a dedicated investigation unit within the GNECB, to focus exclusively on the investigation of insurance fraud.  The GNECB has visited a similar unit in the UK to assess whether it is a viable option for An Garda Síochána.  If it is deemed possible from an operational perspective to establish such a unit, the proposal will be submitted to the Garda Commissioner for consideration. The Department of Justice and Equality will then be consulted and will consider the broader issues arising before making a decision on the matter.