John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

218. To ask the Minister for Finance if the setting up of the national database to track insurance claims to develop an understanding of the way in which the cost of claims is affecting motor insurance premiums will be fast tracked in view of the high cost of motor insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24850/18]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy should note at the outset that the National Claims Information Database is a complex project which needs to be carefully developed and implemented in order for it to be effective over the longer term. A key requirement of the database is that information is collected in a consistent way from insurers in order that a clear picture in relation to claim levels and costs can be obtained. Therefore as well as the work my Department has been doing in developing the draft legislative framework for the database, the Central Bank has being carrying out a parallel technical specification exercise with insurers in relation to the specific type of information that needs to be collected for the database.

By way of further update, you should be aware that my officials established a data sub-group in 2017, which has been meeting since then to examine the issues regarding its development and to prepare the General Scheme of the legislation required. At the end of 2017, it completed its work on the development of this Scheme and on 19 December 2017, the Government approved the General Scheme of the Central Bank (National Claims Information Database) Bill.

The Bill is included in the Government Legislative Programme on the list of Priority Legislation for publication this session. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform and the Taoiseach indicated to me in February that it would not be conducting pre-legislative scrutiny on the Bill.

The Office of the Parliamentary Counsel assigned a drafter to the Bill on 26 January 2018 and officials in the Department of Finance are currently working with the drafter to finalise a draft of the Bill as soon as possible. I am hopeful that the Bill will be published in the coming weeks. A consultation will also have to take place with the European Central Bank on the Bill once it is published.

As the Deputy will appreciate, it will take a certain amount of time following publication of the Bill, for it to pass through the Houses of the Oireachtas. However I am hopeful that with the cooperation of all parties in the Houses, it can be considered and approved expeditiously and thus meet yours and others wishes to have the database in place as soon as possible.