asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that no insurance company in Ireland will even quote a premium to insure a passenger on an auto-cycle or scooter; if he will set up a public inquiry to investigate this and other restrictive practices of insurance companies here; and, if not, if he will at least undertake to investigate this problem with a view to making insurance companies accept this risk and to laying down a maximum premium under existing price control legislation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Insurance of Pillion Passengers.
50.
I understand that the accident rate in the case of persons riding as passengers on these vehicles is such that, if insurance cover were to be provided, the premium rate would be prohibitive. In these circumstances, I do not consider that there is any action which I could usefully take in this matter.
The point with which I am concerned is that no company will accept a premium in any circumstances. In the case of an ordinary personal accident, an ordinary individual may be able to carry that amount of insurance but surely it is ridiculous to expect an individual to cover a disability that could involve tens of thousands of pounds? Would the Minister not consider the possibility of a premium being quoted?
I believe the evidence available is that accident rates for passengers on such vehicles are so high that I would not be justified in doing anything that would encourage the carrying of passengers on such vehicles, some of which are not strictly for that purpose.
Is the Minister aware that his colleague, the Minister for Local Government, has stated that it is illegal to carry a passenger who is not covered by such a policy as Deputy Lemass says does not exist?
The Minister for Local Government said it was not legal but that he thought it should be and that he was going to look into it.
The Minister for Industry and Commerce is aware that it is not illegal in all cases. If the passenger is covered, he is covered and if not, he is not covered.