Vol. 553 No. 2
148 Mr. Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the fact that persons aged 70 and over are unable to obtain travel insurance here; if her Department has proposals to remedy this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13452/02]
I would be concerned that persons in any particular age category might not be able to obtain travel insurance cover.
The pricing and underwriting of insurance is a matter for individual insurance companies and EU law prevents me or my Department from intervening in relation to the matter of premium levels or in respect of what risks insurance companies are prepared to underwrite. Insurers make decisions on provision of cover based on their assessment of that particular risk.
Under the Equal Status Act, 2000 any individual who considers that he or she has experienced discrimination, within the meaning of the Act, may refer a complaint to the Director of Equality Investigations for investigation or mediation. Among the areas of potential discrimination are age or sex of an individual.
