Vol. 428 No. 5
197 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties facing the members of the travelling community in obtaining motor insurance; and the proposals, if any, he has to ensure that this injustice is rectified.
As Minister for Equality and Law Reform I would be concerned about any unfair treatment of travellers in relation to motor insurance. Inquiries have been made of the relevant statutory bodies, and of organisations representing the insurance industry, as to whether members of the travelling community may experience particular difficulties in obtaining motor insurance.
I have been assured that there is no evidence to suggest that travellers are subjected to discriminatory treatment as regards motor insurance. My information is that any difficulties affecting travellers in that respect are no different from those encountered by members of the settled community in meeting the criteria on which insurance business is transacted. If an individual has a particular problem in obtaining motor insurance he-she can contact the Irish Insurance Federation's declined cases committee.
The Deputy may be aware that I intend to examine the feasibility of introducing legislation to prohibit discrimination on a wide range of grounds, including discrimination against members of the travelling community, in relation to the provision of goods, facilities and services.
