asked the Minister for Local Government if, in view of the provisions of the Road Traffic Act, 1961, making insurance cover for passengers in private vehicles compulsory, it is intended to extend the scope of the existing agreement made between him and the Motor Insurers' Bureau so as to provide for payment of compensation to persons who are injured while travelling, or to passengers, in uninsured or inadequately insured vehicles.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Motor Car Insurance.
21.
The question of extending the scope of the existing Agreement with the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland so as to cover the full range of compulsory insurance cover under the Road Traffic Act, 1961, is a matter for negotiation with the Bureau and is at present under consideration.
Is the question of negotiations under consideration or have negotiations commenced? Does the Minister not know?
I was not quite sure. I know we have been working on this proposed new agreement we seek for some time. I am just checking whether there was any formal meeting——
Surely the matter is of some urgency? The compulsory provisions are in operation. It is a matter of concern to persons who should be subject to the compulsory insurance provisions now if, in fact, it transpires it was faulty insurance. Does it not appear to be a compelling matter to check up with the Bureau as soon as possible?
We are not only just now coming to think about this matter. An addendum to an addendum to the 1955 agreement was passed in 1962. It is rather difficult to say where this new consideration begins and where the old left off. That is why I am not inclined to be absolutely sure as to what the terms of my answer to the Deputy's supplementary question should be, in that it is really a continuation of discussions and considerations that have been going on. It might be true to say that the discussions are taking place and, on the other hand, if one were pinpointed on that, it might be said that these discussions are the tail end of what went before and that the new have not begun.