I propose to take Questions Nos. 1589, 1599, 1603 and 1638 together.
My role in the matter of motor insurance relates to legislation under the EU Motor Insurance Directives and the Road Traffic Acts. The primary requirement in the EU Motor Insurance Directives and the Road Traffic Acts regarding motor insurance is that the driver of the vehicle is covered by third party insurance. I have no role regarding the legal framework for insurance regulation or for the regulation of insurance companies, which is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance and the Central Bank respectively.
The provision of motor insurance is a matter for the motor insurance companies operating in a competitive market. At present there are over 30 insurers writing motor insurance in Ireland, as listed on the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland website. The policies of individual insurance companies are a matter for those companies themselves. I have no powers to intervene in the conduct of insurance companies and no role in the pricing or setting of motor insurance terms and conditions.
Insurance Ireland operates a free Insurance Information Service for those who have queries, or difficulties in relation to obtaining insurance. If a person is unable to obtain a quotation for motor insurance or feels that the premium proposed or the terms are so excessive that it amounts to a refusal to give them motor insurance, they should contact Insurance Ireland, 5 Harbourmaster Place, IFSC, Dublin 1 Tel. 01.6761820 quoting the Declined Cases Agreement. Under the Agreement, the Declined Cases Committee of Insurance Ireland deals with any cases of difficulty in obtaining motor insurance.