Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 May 2018
152. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance if he is satisfied that recommendation No. 21 of the report on the cost of motor insurance has been completed as specified in the fifth progress update; when he expects to publish legislation under recommendation No. 21 of the report; when he envisages the legislation being enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22353/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraRecommendation 21 of the Cost of Insurance Working Group Report calls for the Implementation of the Review of the Framework for Motor Insurance Compensation in Ireland.
The Deputy will be aware that the Fifth Progress Update, published earlier this month, provided an update on the implementation of this Recommendation stating that the Department of Finance is continuing to work with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to progress drafting of the Bill, which will implement 3 of the 4 key recommendations and which is expected to be finalised in May. It also noted that the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform and Taoiseach has commenced pre-legislative scrutiny which it is hoped will be completed shortly.
The Deputy will also be aware of my decision in principle that the State will ensure that Setanta third party claimants are compensated in full, which was announced on 30 January and which had not been included in the recommendations of either the Review of the Framework for Motor Insurance Compensation in Ireland or the Cost of Insurance Working Group Report. The Department of Finance has received confirmation from the Office of the Attorney General that there are no state-aid or other legal issues with this decision, and has therefore proceeded with the detailed arrangements to implement it. An additional provision to give effect to this decision is being included in the Insurance (Amendment) Bill, which has now been finalised by my officials in liaison with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel and is expected to be brought to Government for approval to publish at the next available opportunity. Once this is done I look forward to working with the Deputy to bring this important legislative piece through the Houses of the Oireachtas.
Additionally, the recommendation that the provisions contained in section 78A of the Road Traffic Act 1961, requiring insurers to supply details to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, be amended to provide greater clarity on what is meant by the term "details", was implemented by section 30 of the Road Traffic Act 2016. This section has yet to be commenced.
