asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that many complaints have been made, particularly in County Longford, to the effect that policies have been and are being lapsed and cancelled on technical points by agents or inspectors of an Irish assurance company with consequent hardship to insured persons and without refund of the premiums already paid, and whether inquiries into those complaints have been or will be instituted.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Lapsed Insurance Policies.
I have received some complaints of the type referred to, but I have no power to interfere in disputes between insurance companies and their policy holders. As the law stands at present, such disputes can be determined only in a court of justice.
Is the Minister aware that there are instances in this connection that are very close to the conduct of moneylenders—conduct that was complained of some time ago and for the prohibition of which it was necessary to bring in legislation? The action of certain insurance agents, in securing policies or getting people to propose or insure people on policies that are not valid, and doing that without the knowledge of their husbands, and things of that kind, which create a considerable amount of domestic uneasiness and hardship, resulting, finally, in many cases, in the arrival of the sheriff for costs and damages on very technical points, is, I suggest on a par with the actions of those who were dealt with in the Moneylenders Bill. I do not wish to reflect on any reputable insurance company, but I can assure the Minister that there are very grave hardships inflicted by this kind of thing, and I would ask him to consider the matter.
Perhaps the Deputy will bear the matter in mind when the Insurance Bill is being discussed in the Dáil in the course of this session.
I accept what the Minister says, but at the same time that does not relieve the hardships from which people are now suffering, and I would like the Minister to consider some steps that might be taken to relieve these hardships.
As the law stands at the present time I have no power whatever to interfere between these agents and their clients.
Would the Minister consider the advisability of retrospective legislation when he comes to deal with these cases?
Did I understand the Minister to say that he would bear this matter in mind with respect to forthcoming legislation?
The Deputy will see in time.