Vol. 566 No. 3
372 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Transport if he continues to take action to ensure that young people may avail of competitive car insurance; his views on the importance of the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12692/03]
While issues concerned with the cost and availability of motor insurance are primarily matters for my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, I have taken a number of road safety initiatives that I expect to have a positive effect on the cost of motor insurance. The more significant of these include the implementation of penalty points for speeding offences and the phased roll-out of penalty points to other offences. In this regard I recently announced that it is proposed to introduce penalty points for driving without insurance with effect from 1 June 2003, and in respect of seat belt offences committed by drivers with effect from 1 July 2003.
I am also in consultation with the motor insurance industry with a view to putting in place arrangements to secure reductions in motor insurance costs for drivers with no penalty points. My Department is working towards the earliest possible implementation of those recommendations of the Motor Insurance Advisory Board for which I have responsibility and which the MIAB considers will contribute to lower insurance costs.
