Written Answers Nos. 70-89
70. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the case of a person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27831/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID-19 Online Retail Scheme, administered on my Department's behalf by Enterprise Ireland, supports companies in the indigenous retail sector who have already started an online journey, to further enhance and strengthen their online presence, which will have the most immediate impact enabling them to respond to both domestic and international consumer demand with a competitive online offer.
The call for applications under this scheme closed at 3pm on 28th Sept 2020 and all applications are currently being reviewed by Enterprise Ireland. Eligible applications will be put forward for assessment in the coming weeks. Ineligible applicants will be notified once all applications have been reviewed.
Following enquiries made with Enterprise Ireland, I can confirm that an application has been received under Call 2 of this scheme from an applicant referenced by the Deputy.
71. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has reviewed the detailed report written by a person (details supplied) regarding the threat to 114,000 jobs, many among younger workers in the 15-to-24-years age group, in the drinks and hospitality industry; the way in which he plans to provide meaningful support to the sector and protect these jobs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27942/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am conscious that the economic impact of COVID-19 has not been the same across all sectors of the economy. For some sectors, especially those that require personal contact with customers, such as hospitality, it has been more difficult to adapt to social distancing requirements. We also know our young people have been disproportionally impacted by COVID-19 and we must ensure they are not left behind.
To date the Government has provided enhanced provisions economy wide totalling almost €20 billion. While these supports are wide ranging, they will by their nature be of most assistance to the most heavily impacted firms and sectors.
The July Stimulus Package was, as promised, a package of measures of sufficient scale that demonstrates the commitment this Government has to save enterprises, limit the damage to our economy wreaked by this pandemic and get our people back to work. Indeed, it is bigger in scale than most budgets and it is being deployed at speed and includes:
- A new Employment Wage Support Scheme that will succeed the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme and run until April 2021;
- Restart Grants of up to €25,000 available to a broad category of businesses such as hairdressers, sports clubs, cafes, restaurants, B&Bs, and independent hotels to help cover the costs incurred during closure and reopening costs;
- The ‘Stay and Spend’ initiative will see consumers benefit by up to €125 each for expenditure on hospitality activities during the traditional ‘off peak’ for this sector;
- A €10 million Restart Fund for the Tourism Sector;
- The new €2 billion COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme to provide Irish businesses with access to low cost loans as they respond to the impacts of COVID-19. This is the biggest ever state-backed loan guarantee in Ireland;
- The recently reopened Microfinance Ireland Covid-19 Loan scheme; and
- Several other initiatives to provide vital liquidity to all firms who are experiencing impacts have been introduced including rates waivers, temporary VAT reductions, delayed payment of PAYE and VAT debts, in part or in full, for a set period with no interest or penalties, and the early carry back of trading losses providing immediate cash-flow support to previously profitable companies.
Recognising the economic impact of Covid-19 on pubs, bars and nightclubs, and to assist planning and adaptation for their re-opening, an additional €16 million support package for this sector was announced at the end of August. This included a 40% Restart Grant Plus Top Up for pubs, bars and nightclubs that remain closed to help them to reopen, a waiver of court fees and associated excise and stamp duties relating to the renewal of pub and other liquor licences in 2020 and a waiver of excise duty on on-trade liquor licences on renewal in 2020.
While we have, and will continue to, help our business, we are also assisting those who may have lost their jobs as a result of COVID-19 or whose jobs continue to be in a precarious position, getting staff back to work and creating new opportunities for those unable to return to their old jobs. Indeed, a €200 million investment in education and training was announced in the July Stimulus. To support people without jobs, especially young people the July Stimulus included:
- A clear timeline for the continuation of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment will help to provide assurances to those who suffered job losses;
- A new Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme to assist employers to continue to recruit apprentices during the immediate Covid-19 period;
- Funding for some 60,000 places in further and higher education, skills training, and work placement and experience schemes; and
- The JobsPlus Scheme that will provide subsidies to encourage employers to hire someone under the age of 30 who is on the Live Register or the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
Having come through the initial economic shock with unprecedented levels of State intervention stabilising the economy, the focus is now on sustaining the recovery in the face of uncertainty and disruption while seeking to minimise permanent loss of economic activity and employment. As such, the next steps in our recovery journey will be mapped out in the October budget and the subsequent National Economic Plan, which I expect to be launched in November.
72. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if legislation will be introduced requiring companies to offer customers an email contact for purposes such as complaints, cancellation of contracts and queries regarding services to ensure that records of such interactions can be recorded by both parties and that communication channels are not set up in such a way that they are intentionally difficult to navigate. [27761/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTelecommunications service providers are regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), which operates independently of my Department. The telecommunications regulatory framework, which ComReg implements, requires each telecommunications services provider to establish and operate a code of practice, including requirements for complaint handling and means of contact. Service providers must implement these measures, at a minimum, to assist consumers (including businesses) when they need to contact them with a complaint. A copy of the code of practice, which includes the three ways in which consumers can contact service providers, one of which is by electronic means of contact such as an email address or an online complaint form, can be accessed at: https://www.comreg.ie/code-practice-handling-complaints/.
Any operator failing to comply with any of these requirements is a matter to be pursued by ComReg.
73. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the position on banning smoky coal fuel; and if provisions will be made for exemptions for certain vintage machinery such as locomotive engines and tractors. [27829/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFrom 1 September 2020, I established 13 new Low Smoke Zones (LSZs). The effect of this latest important step is that all Irish towns with populations in excess of 10,000 are now LSZs within which the marketing, sale and distribution of bituminous coal is prohibited. This will have a positive impact in terms of reducing particulate matter and sulphur dioxide levels in the areas selected, with consequent public health benefits for residents of these new zones.
We have given a commitment in the Programme for Government to work towards a full nationwide extension of the regulations over the lifetime of the Government. The Department is taking the first step in this process by developing a public consultation document which recognises the need for a more comprehensive approach to the regulation of solid fuel generally, including other smoky fuels in addition to bituminous coal, with a view to ensuring a transition to lower polluting fuels for residential heating. Responses received to the consultation will help to inform the decisions to be made regarding the implementation and enforcement of a nationwide extension. It is intended to commence this public consultation process later this year.
In relation to vintage machinery, the current ban on the sale, marketing, distribution and burning of bituminous coal applies to such coal that is placed on the market for residential heating. This means there is no prohibition on the burning of bituminous coal for the purposes of powering vintage machinery such as the examples given by the Deputy.
74. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the findings of the Environmental Protection Agency air quality report; the steps he is taking to reduce nitrogen dioxide levels and mitigate the risks associated with concentrations of nitrogen dioxide in towns and cities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27939/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the findings of this report. As part of the ongoing work to reduce overall levels of nitrogen dioxide (NOx) in certain areas, my Department has been working on a number of measures.
Firstly, implementation of the Climate Action Plan 2019 will help ameliorate transport-related NOx, and also Non-Methane Volatile Organic Compound (NMVOC), emissions. Key measures include:
- Putting 180,000 electric vehicles on our roads by 2025 and almost 1 million by 2030
- Steps to decarbonise the public transport fleet
- The development of a 5-year Cycling Strategy, and the roll-out of 200km of new cycle lanes through Bus Connects
- Encouraging a transition to public transport through a new Park and Ride Strategy to help reduce congestion and lower journey times
- Legislating for no new fossil fuel vehicles to be sold from 2030 onwards
In addition, officials from the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Department of Transport are co-chairing a working group on Urban Transport-Related Air Pollution (UTRAP), comprising representatives of the two Departments as well as the Departments of Health, Finance, and Public Expenditure and Reform, the Dublin Local Authorities, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and various bodies in the transport sector. This group will report later this year with recommendations to address pollution from traffic.
These measures will complement the work of my Department in developing a Clean Air Strategy, which will set out and give effect to clean air policies a manner consistent with national, EU and international policy considerations and priorities.
Finally, my Department funds, and is informed by, an on-going research programme into outdoor air pollution overseen by the EPA. Reports of recent EPA air quality research projects are available online at https://www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/research/air/.
75. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the category and weighting used for consideration of projects under the climate action fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27989/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe first call for applications for Climate Action Fund support was launched in 2018 with applications being accepted between 17 September 2018 and 1 October 2018. The application form, available at this link - https://www.dccae.gov.ie/documents/CAF%20Call%20for%20Applications.pdf - sets out a range of information relevant to an application, including the types of projects eligible for support, the mandatory requirements, the terms and conditions, and the assessment criteria. Section 5 of this document sets out information on the assessment process, including in relation to the mandatory requirements and the following four detailed assessment criteria used to rank projects:
(1) Contribution to Ireland’s climate and energy targets and wider Government policy priorities (35% weighting);
(2) Cost effectiveness (30% weighting);
(3) Innovation and quality (30% weighting); and
(4) Partnerships (5% weighting).
The Deputy may wish to note that preparations are underway to launch a second call for applications for support shortly. The application form for the second call will provide similar clarity on the types of projects that may be supported and the assessment criteria.
76. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications the steps he is taking to ensure that smoky coal cannot be imported from Northern Ireland after 31 December 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27990/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to extending the "smoky" coal ban to new towns and, over the term of Government, move towards a full nationwide ban.
As the full nationwide ban is not yet in place, it will remain legal to sell, market, distribute and burn bituminous coal in areas outside of Low Smoke Zones after 31 December 2020, and to import such coal from Northern Ireland or elsewhere.The usual enforcement process will apply to ensure that bituminous coal will not be sold, marketed, distributed or burned within Low Smoke Zones.
My Department is working with a number of agencies to devise a new multi-agency enforcement programme on solid fuels used for residential heating. Additionally we have issued letters to all coal companies in Ireland and Northern Ireland advising there is no legal market in Ireland for solid fuel with a sulphur content in excess of 2% for domestic heating purposes.
While enforcement is primarily a matter for the Local Authorities, the Government is committed to strengthening enforcement of air quality regulation and my Department will be engaging with local authorities in that regard. The issue of effective enforcement will also be considered in the forthcoming public consultation on a nationwide approach to solid fuel regulation.
77. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications if consideration is being given to the need to ensure compliance with EU legislation in the context of a review of recyclability provisions as opposed to further extension beyond that which might create a serious disadvantage for small to medium-sized businesses here in the packaging industry, which could cause serious loss of employment; if he will ensure that the EU standards remain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28068/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department launched the Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy on 4 September 2020. The new plan contains a specific chapter on plastics and packaging waste, which outlines a number of measures to achieve optimum results in this area.
The action plan confirms that we will work with packaging suppliers to ensure they play their part in reducing primary, secondary and tertiary packaging waste arising and ensuring that all packaging on the market is reusable or recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030. In addition, I can confirm that Ireland will support the environmentally ambitious approach in discussions with the European Commission as the review of the essential requirements for packaging is progressed.
78. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that drivers (details supplied) are being asked to work hours in contravention of the road transport working time directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27780/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) monitors compliance with and enforces driver hours' legislation and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the RSA for attention. I have also forwarded the Deputy's question to Bus Éireann for direct reply.
I ask the Deputy to advise my private office if he does not receive a response within ten working days.
79. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Transport the reason for the significant gaps in the BusConnects plan (details supplied), which will lead to more passengers going without regular bus services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27841/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including BusConnects.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for their consideration and direct reply. I ask him to contact my private office if he does not receive a reply within 10 days.
80. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the monitoring or oversight that occurs of aircraft arriving from abroad into airports owned by private persons or companies here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27848/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra81. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 120 of 28 July 2020, if he will undertake to collate the data from now on to ensure that his attention is drawn to the number of private jets operating here in view of the significant impact they have on the environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27849/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra82. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the status of the European proposals for a tax on aviation fuel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27851/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 80 to 82, inclusive, together.
With regard to the Deputy's question on the status of European proposals for a tax on aviation fuel the EU’s Green Deal outlines a number of policy reforms that will deliver on the ambition of making the EU climate neutral by 2050. As part of the Green Deal Package, the European Commission is proposing to revise the Energy Taxation Directive (ETD). Currently under the ETD, aviation fuel, except for that which is used in private-pleasure flying, is exempt from excise duty although Member States can choose to tax aviation fuel for domestic flights and, by means of bilateral agreements, also fuel used in intra-EU flight. The Commission has suggested that this exemption for aviation fuel should be closely examined and the Directorate General for Taxation and Customs Union has published an Inception Impact Assessment on revising the ETD. The Commission has opened a public consultation process and is open until 14 October 2020.
Ireland's Action Plan for the reduction of aviation emissions is available on my Department's website:
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/77ebec-irelands-action-plan-for-aviation-emissions-reduction/
As regards monitoring of private aircraft operating into Ireland, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is responsible from an aviation safety perspective and often audits private aircraft operating into Ireland to ensure that they are compliant with the regulatory requirements for airworthiness, operations and flight crew licensing. All flights, regardless of departure or destination, are required to file a flight plan when they intend to enter controlled airspace and all flights arriving into Ireland must follow the requirements as outlined in the Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP). There are also a number of documentary, customs and immigration requirements for aircraft arriving from abroad outlined in the AIP. The oversight of those requirements would come under the aegis of the respective agency, i.e. Department of Justice for immigration requirements, Revenue Commissioners for customs requirements.
83. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Transport if there will be a review of the changes to requirements for renewing PSV licences introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic, which are increasing the financial burden on taxi drivers. [27708/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraLicences for vehicles to be used as small public service vehicles (SPSVs) - including licences for taxi, hackney and limousine vehicles - are issued and renewed by the National Transport Authority (NTA), which is the independent regulator for the SPSV industry under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. I am not aware of changes by the NTA in relation to these vehicle licences that would increase costs for SPSV operators; on the contrary I am aware that the NTA has taken a number of measures to support the SPSV industry during the pandemic.
The Deputy may be referring to licences for individual persons to drive an SPSV, which are issued and renewed by An Garda Síochána under section 6 of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. If this is the area of the Deputy's query, she might wish to refer it to my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality.
84. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if a proposal (details supplied) to use Covid-19 medical detention dogs at airports and ports, following the roll-out of the testing method in Helsinki, Finland, and the research on the method being conducted in other countries, will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27740/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI note that the same question was asked of the Minister for Health in May, and he had no plans at the time. I am not aware of any change in that position. My Department also has no plans for use of dogs in the detection of Covid-19 in Airports and Ports.
Under the plan for living with Covid-19, it is proposed that Ireland will broadly support consideration of the European Commission proposals on a common EU approach to International Travel and COVID-19 restrictions. The EU proposal would see mapping of European states by the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) based upon agreed relevant Epi data, and a proportionate approach to international travel restrictions favouring testing as a means to avoid 14-day quarantine.
The EU proposal is still under consideration by European Member States. Consideration of any possible testing arrangements for international travel must be cognisant of the resources and capacity available in the health sector for the testing and tracing of the general public, of symptomatic patients, and serial testing of high-risk groups or workplace environments.
My Department is continuing to engage with colleagues across Government, including with Department of Health and the HSE, concerning international travel policy in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
85. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport his plans to make Irish Rail carriage numbers more visible to assist persons identifying the carriages they are on in order to report antisocial behaviour to Irish Rail; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulty those with a visual impairment face in viewing these carriage numbers by virtue of their location and size. [27766/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. However, I am not involved in the day-to-day operations of public transport.
The issue raised is an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply.
I ask the Deputy to advise my private office if she does not receive a response within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
86. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Transport if consideration has been given to extending driver licences due to expire in the coming months to reflect the significant backlog in available appointments nationally created by Covid-19 for those in situations that will not allow them to renew online, such as residents who were born outside of the EU. [27839/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is not my intention at this time to further extend the validity of driving licences.
The existing extension of 7 months for licences that expired between March and August will ease the pressure on the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS), free up appointment slots and make it easier to find those slots at local centres. The extension brings Irish national law in line with EU legislation.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is working with their providers to see how they can increase capacity at NDLS centres while adhering to the return to work protocol. Options under consideration include extended opening hours, overtime and protective segregation barriers between booths.
Work is also continuing to expand the online facility to accommodate all driving licence and learner permit application types in a manner that does not undermine the existing legal framework or the effective operations of the stakeholders involved.
87. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is a significant waiting list for driver theory tests for the C licence which is preventing persons from taking up truck driving jobs; if the need for a mandatory theory test will be temporarily removed in order to apply for a learner permit due to Covid-19; if he will consider exempting those who have previously passed their theory test but have allowed their licence to expire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27844/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Driver Theory Testing Service, in line with many other state agencies, has seen an increased demand for its services since resuming operations following its temporary closure due to the COVID emergency. In addition to this, the service saw its capacity reduced by 50% to comply with occupational and public health requirements. Inevitably, there is now a backlog of theory tests.
The Road Safety Authority is currently engaging with the service provider to maximise capacity within existing constraints. They will be opening on additional days (at some centres) and extended hours will also be provided at differnet centres to allow additional capacity for appointments. Capacity is now back to levels comparable with last year but clearing the backlog will take time.
Those whose appointments were cancelled by the RSA due to the Covid-19 situation will have first priority. Priority then will be given in order of application date.
The theory test is a requirement of EU law and I, as Minister, do not have the power to make exceptions to this legislation.
Following the suspension of the Driver Theory Testing Service in March 2020, my predecessor signed regulations in to law so that certificates issued on passing the driver theory test had their period of validity extended. Certificates that were due to expire from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2020 inclusive, had their period of validity extended by 4 months. This extension does not apply to driver theory test certificates that expired before the 01 March 2020 or after 30 June 2020. I have no plans at this time to extend further the validity date of driver theory test certificates, in light of the foregoing.
88. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28017/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraBoth the National Transport Authority (NTA) and my Department have been engaging directly with commercial bus operators to help inform policy decisions in relation to the public transport sector as we continue to deal with the impact of Covid-19.
From the Department's engagement with industry representatives and indeed from the NTA's regular engagement with them throughout the crisis, we understand the very difficult business environment that the commercial operators have been facing. Indeed, across Government we are acutely aware that the Covid-19 situation presents huge challenges for many business sectors.
It is critical for the public transport sector to be functioning so that it can carry the passengers that we need to return to work and to other necessary activities. Many of the commercial bus operators provide public transport services that are essential for people who need to get to work and are vital to ensure economic recovery.
For that reason, on 25 June the Government approved temporary funding supports, in accordance with EU and national legislation, for the licensed bus sector. These supports are aimed at ensuring the continued operation of essential licensed bus services for a period of up to six months. The funding is available for operators of public transport routes where the financial intervention is supported by a clear public interest justification, and the funding is targeted at compensating the gap between specified costs and the revenues generated on the services. The NTA, as the public transport licensing agency, is responsible for administering the funding support and it is doing this by putting in place contract with the relevant operators.
In addition to this valuable new support scheme for licensed bus services, there is also a wider programme of Government supports for businesses impacted by the Covid situation. These supports iinclude new schemes of wage subsidies, rates waivers, re-start grants, lending facilities, equity injection, and business advisory supports for example - all of which will help to improve cash flow amongst SMEs.
I am also aware of how badly impacted the coach tourism sector has been by the public health crisis, due to the lack of international tourists and a fall in demand for local coach services. I understand that Fáilte Ireland has been asked to develop a Business Continuity Scheme to help these businesses through this very difficult period. Fáilte Ireland are engaging with the sector to develop this scheme which has been allocated €10m in funding. The scheme is under the remit of my colleague, Catherine Martin, Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht.
Finally, the Deputy will be aware that issues relating to the law on Value Added Tax are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance.
89. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the issue of the inability of small tourism companies such as a company (details supplied) to attain insurance; if the reasons for same will be investigated; the actions that will be taken with insurance companies here to rectify same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27785/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraLet me say at the outset that I am very much aware of the problems faced by many businesses, including those in the tourist industry, in relation to the availability and affordability of public liability insurance. However, as this is a commercial matter, neither I, nor the Central Bank of Ireland, can direct the pricing of insurance products, and neither can we compel any insurer operating in the Irish market to provide cover. This position is reinforced by the EU Single Market framework for insurance (the Solvency II Directive) which expressly prohibits Member States from doing so. As the Deputy will appreciate, I cannot comment on or investigate individual cases such as that of her constituent.
As the Deputy will appreciate, there is no single policy or legislative fix to remedy the cost and availability of insurance issue. The Programme for Government identifies a range of issues that the Government will prioritise so as to benefit consumers and businesses and work will advance on this matter through the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment.
In terms of addressing the affordability and accessibility of public liability insurance which is key for tourism companies, a necessary step is to bring the levels of personal injury damages awarded in this country more in line with those awarded in other jurisdictions. The establishment of the Judicial Council last December is very important in this regard, and it is expected that the Personal Injuries Guidelines Committee will submit draft Guidelines to the Executive Board of the Judicial Council shortly. While the adoption of those Guidelines will be a matter for the Judicial Council, it is desirable that the Guidelines could play a role in the lowering of award levels and also could lead to a more consistent application of making awards in courts. Insurance Ireland has indicated that if award levels come down so will premiums charged by its members. I believe that this is a very important statement and this Government intends holding the insurance industry to this commitment.
In conclusion, I wish to emphasise that prioritising delivery on the commitments to insurance reform remains a priority for the Government and this is reflected in the Programme for Government.
