Vol. 554 No. 5
167 Mr. Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the structure or group proposed to co-ordinate the probable involvement of up to five Departments in addressing the MIAB insurance recommendations; and when drivers, many of them seeking insurance for the first time, will begin to feel the benefit of these proposed changes. [15607/02]
169 Mr. Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposed target time frame for the implementation of recommendations to tackle the problem of escalating costs of motor insurance, particularly for young drivers. [15609/02]
184 Mr. O'Connor asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will make a statement on the progress made over the summer months in dealing with the problem of expensive car insurance for young people; and the proposals to deal with this important issue. [16550/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 167, 169 and 184 together.
Following publication of the Motor Insurance Advisory Board, MIAB, report in April of this year, an implementation group was set up. The group has now prepared an action plan for implementation of the 67 recommendations in the report. The plan sets out what has to be done and by whom, the time frame for implementation and the insurance industry's own estimate of the potential impact on cost reduction. I intend to publish the action plan shortly.
168 Mr. Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will consider taking car insurance out of the private sector and establishing a State insurance company to ensure that car insurance is afford able and available to every resident in the State, regardless of age, sex or marital status. [15608/02]
The pricing and underwriting of insurance is a matter for individual insurance companies. EU law prevents any intervention from Governments in the member states, including Ireland, in relation to 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.
On the specific question of the availability of insurance regardless of age, sex or marital status, the recent report of the Motor Insurance Advisory Board, which has made a number of recommendations in that regard, has been referred to the Equality Authority.
Question No. 169 answered with Question No. 167.
Question No. 170 answered with Question No. 160.
