Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 26 Nov 2002

Vol. 558 No. 1

Written Answers. - Insurance Costs.

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

162 Mr. O'Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her proposals to assist an organisation (details supplied) in County Waterford in regard to enormous leaps in insurance premiums; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23298/02]

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

On 25 October 2002, I announced my programme for fundamental insurance reform. The programme reflects the commitments given in An Agreed Programme for Government and comprises a comprehensive set of interrelated measures designed to improve the functioning of the Irish insurance market.

The key measures include: establishment of a ministerial committee, chaired by myself, to oversee implementation of the reform programme, including the 67 recommendations in the motor insurance advisory board, MIAB, report; publication of the action plan to give effect to the MIAB recommendations within a target timeframe; establishment of the personal injuries assessment board, PIAB, on an interim basis, pending preparation of the necessary legislation to put the PIAB on a statutory footing; and publication of the report of the implementation group on the PIAB.

While EU law precludes the imposition of price controls on insurance, I have made it clear that I expect aquid pro quo from the industry in response to my reform programme.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

163 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the insurance policies which she will be tracking in order to monitor the proposed reductions in insurance costs through her action plan. [23299/02]

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

The Government has approved my proposal that a monitoring committee be established now, which includes representatives of IBEC, the Consumers' Association of Ireland and the chairperson of the MIAB, to progress the insurance reform programme which I announced on 25 October last, with the objective of a reduction in insurance costs by the industry in furtherance of the commitments set out in An Agreed Programme for Government.

Richard Bruton

Ceist:

164 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the elements which make up the expected 31% reduction in insurance premia from her action plan. [23300/02]

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

The estimate of the cumulative impact on total claims costs of the implementation of the action plan to give effect to the 67 recommendations of the motor insurance advisory board report was provided by the Irish Insurance Federation. The basis for the estimate is contained in appendix II of the action plan.

Phil Hogan

Ceist:

165 Mr. Hogan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her plans for comparative information to be made available in each state of the EU in respect of all insurance policies in terms of cover and premiums; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23368/02]

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

I have no plans for comparative information to be made available in each state of the EU in respect of all insurance policies in terms of cover and premiums.