Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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242. To ask the Minister for Finance the status of his discussions with other Ministers regarding the implementation of a cross-Departmental insurance reform agenda; the deadline for completion of insurance reforms outlined in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18727/20]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the “Programme for Government – Our shared Future” document lays out commitments that are aimed at addressing consumer and business concerns on the cost of insurance. These commitments include increasing transparency; reviewing duty of care legislation; looking at how to further enhance the role of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, and increasing competition in the market.  Making progress on this work will involve a cross-departmental approach and will build and expand upon previous work done by the Cost of Insurance Working Group.

In terms of discussions with other Ministers, there have been two meetings to date. Firstly, a Ministerial meeting was held on the 14th July, where the Tanaiste and relevant Ministers discussed how best to implement the Government’s insurance reform agenda in a coordinated fashion in order to ensure maximum effect and benefit for insurance policyholders.  Most recently, on the 22nd July, a meeting took place between the Alliance for Insurance Reforms, An Tánaiste Varadkar, Ministers McEntee and McGrath, Ministers of State Fleming and Troy and myself. The meeting with the Alliance was a productive engagement for all sides.

Our focus at present is on defining each Department’s priorities in terms of being able to progress this reform agenda in an effective and coherent way over the next number of months. My Department has written to each relevant Department on this matter. In terms of timelines, I cannot give a definitive answer at this stage, other than to say that every effort will be made to advance it as quickly as possible. In addition, a meeting between myself, Minister of State Fleming and Insurance Ireland is also being arranged so that we can assess their views on where progress can be made.

In conclusion, the Deputy can rest assured that making progress on achieving much needed insurance reform is a key priority for this Government and this is reflected in the Programme for Government.  While implementation of this agenda is a cross-Departmental priority the overall issue remains a key issue for myself and Minister of State Fleming in my Department.