andMr. McQuillan asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that a great number of people, particularly amongst the poorer sections of the community, are victims of exploitation in the assessing of payments from industrial assurance policies and, if so, whether he proposes to take any action to stop this most reprehensible practice on the part of the insurance companies so engaged.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Payments on Industrial Insurance Policies.
23.
I do not know what practice the Deputies have in mind. If they will furnish me with particulars, I will have the matter examined.
Is the Minister aware of the fact that within the last fortnight it was shown in the newspapers that a number of such policies with a certain insurance company were found in the High Court to be absolutely illegal and in view of the fact that this is going on all over the country would the Minister not now agree that action should be taken to prevent the poorer people especially from being robbed by insurance companies in so far as industrial insurance policies are concerned?
The question on the Order Paper referred to a practice. The supplementary question referred to an individual case. Any further action which may be taken by the Minister, arising out of that case, is being considered at the moment.
May I take it that the Minister has in mind the question of varying the policies, particularly where an unfortunate relative may pay in £60 or £70 where the actual insurance policy is for only £30 or £20 and there is no reimbursement whatever?
The Deputy is enlarging the question considerably.
May I ask the Minister does he not agree that it is absolutely illegal to exploit poor people in this fashion and will he state in the House now whether he proposes to take any action regarding the licences issued to these companies? Will the Minister consider examining the question of refusing licences in future to companies who exploit people in this fashion?
That is an entirely different question.
I have already said that the Minister is not aware of the practice the Deputies have in mind but that in the particular case referred to in the Deputy's supplementary question the Minister is considering at the present time what further action might be taken.