Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 July 2017
40. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance if he will ensure agricultural mart owners are not faced with high increases in the costs of insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31450/17]
View answerI am advised by Insurance Ireland that they are not aware of any major increases in the cost insurance for agricultural mart owners. However, if the Deputy is aware of a specific issue facing an individual mart owner, I recommend that he or the mart owner raise it with Insurance Ireland who I understand are happy to discuss the issue as part of their free Insurance Information Service for those who have queries, complaints or difficulties in relation to obtaining insurance. Insurance Ireland can be contacted at feedback@insuranceireland.eu or 01-6761914.
In terms of measures being taken to tackle the cost of employer and public liability in general, the Deputy will be aware that this is being examined as part of the second phase of the Cost of Insurance Working Group. The Working Group is building upon the previous work done in the motor phase in order to determine how it can be applied in the employer and public liability insurance claims areas. The Working Group is also considering the impact of the cost of insurance on the competitiveness of particular business sectors, the impact of health and safety issues on the cost of insurance and other market issues.
The Working Group has held extensive consultations with a range of stakeholders and has engaged with the Irish Farmers Association, who provided a submission to the Working Group.
It is envisaged that the final results of the second phase will take the form of an addendum to the existing Report. As with the first phase, the aim is for all relevant bodies and stakeholders to work together in order to deliver fairer premiums for businesses without unnecessary delay.
As it is likely that employer and public liability risks would be a factor in any rise in the cost of insurance for marts, any recommendations emerging from this review should be of relevance to the mart sector.
