Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 9 Oct 2002

Vol. 554 No. 5

Written Answers. - Insurance Costs.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

161 Mr. Gilmore asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on whether it is equitable that a 26 year old driver who has held a full driving licence for seven years, who has been a named driver on another insurance for four years and who has never had an accident or insurance claim, should be charged ?2,885 per annum for insurance on a small one litre car; her plans to address the problem of motor insurance costs for young drivers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15385/02]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney):

EU law prevents Governments in the member states, including Ireland, from intervening in relation to premium levels or the risks that insurers are prepared to underwrite. The pricing and underwriting of insurance are, therefore, the responsibility of individual insurance companies.

Under the Agreed Programme for Government, we are committed to bringing about improvements in the functioning of the Irish insurance market which we expect should lead to a reduction in insurance costs.