Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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113. To ask the Minister for Finance the status of the implementation of recommendations of the Cost of Insurance Working Group examining motor insurance; the recommendations which have already been implemented; when the work is expected to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13636/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Cost of Insurance Working Group’s Report on the Cost of Motor Insurance was published in January 2017 and makes 33 recommendations with 71 associated actions to be carried out in agreed timeframes, which are set out in an Action Plan. 

In line with the commitment to publish quarterly update reports on the implementation of the recommendations of the Report on the Cost of Motor Insurance, the Working Group has published four update reports to date, most recently on 20 February last.  This shows that of the 46 separate deadlines set during 2017 within the Action Plan, 39 have been met.  Substantial work has also been undertaken in respect of the nine action points categorised as “ongoing”. 

Some of the recommendations which have been fully implemented include the protocol agreed with Insurance Ireland committing insurers to accept returning emigrants’ claims-free driving experience in another country, the publication of the First Motor Insurance Key Information Report, and the setting up of a forum to better enable Insurance Ireland to become aware of issues affecting businesses and consumers.

All of the remaining actions are scheduled to be completed before the end of this year.  At this juncture, as highlighted in the last update report, it is anticipated that the  action points likely to be delayed beyond 2018 are those related to the large-scale initiatives under the remit of the Minister of Transport, Tourism and Sport.  These includes the completion of the Master Licence Record project and the database to identify uninsured drivers. 

However, the vast majority of the Action Plan should be completed by the end of this year, including in relation to key recommendations such as the establishment of a National Claims Information Database and relevant proposals received from the reports of the Personal Injuries Commission being put into operation.

It should be noted that the most recent CSO data (for February 2018) indicates that private motor insurance premiums have decreased by 18.1% since peaking in July 2016.  While the CSO statistics indicate a greater degree of stability on an overall basis, these figures represent a broad average and therefore I appreciate many people may still be seeing increases.  However, I am hopeful that the improved stability in pricing will be maintained and that premiums shall continue to fall from the very high levels of mid-2016.