Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Jun 1993

Vol. 432 No. 6

Written Answers. - Motor Insurance Financing.

Edward Nealon

Question:

55 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment whether the concept of financing third party motor insurance through a levy on motor fuel has been considered by his Department in the past; and, if so, if any studies have indicated that this idea has attractions for the Irish situation.

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. Quinn)

I understand that the concept referred to by the Deputy was considered by the then Department of Industry and Commerce, in conjunction with other interested Departments, in 1976 and again in 1985.

However, the Programme for a Partnership Government stated that the introduction of a comprehensive system of motor insurance, linked to petrol usage would be studied.

Previous examinations, while not comprehensive, have indicated that there might be attractions to some motorists in a system of motor insurance linked to petrol usage. I cannot say that such attractions of themselves would be sufficient to warrant the introduction of such a system until such time as the examination provided for in the Programme for a Partnership Government is complete.