Dáil Éireann
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Vol. 914 Thursday, No. 3 23 June 2016 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DÁIL ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Insert Date Here 23/06/2016A00100Leaders’ Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 785 23/06/2016H00800Questions on Proposed Legislation � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 793 23/06/2016M00100Waste Collection Charges: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 798 23/06/2016Q00100The Arts: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 802 23/06/2016R00200Summer Economic Statement 2016: Statements � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 807 23/06/2016DD00200Topical Issue Matters � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 832 23/06/2016DD00400Summer Economic Statement 2016: Statements (Resumed) � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 832 23/06/2016QQ00200Estimates for Public Services 2016: Messages from Select Committees� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 859 23/06/2016RR00100Ceisteanna - Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 859 23/06/2016RR00200Priority Questions� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 859 23/06/2016RR00300EU Membership � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 859 23/06/2016RR01100Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 861 23/06/2016SS01000Financial Services Regulation � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 864 23/06/2016TT00725Other Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 866 23/06/2016TT00750Infrastructure and Capital Investment Programme � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 866 23/06/2016UU00400Mortgage Arrears Proposals � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 868 23/06/2016UU01500NAMA Assets Sale � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 870 23/06/2016VV00700Consumer Protection � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 872 Tax Code � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 873 23/06/2016XXX00100Insurance Costs � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 875 23/06/2016XXX00700NAMA Operations � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 877 23/06/2016YY04400Statute of Limitations � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 880 00100Topical Issue Debate � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 882 23/06/2016ZZ00200Cancer Services Provision � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 882 23/06/2016AAA00150Nursing Homes Support Scheme� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 885 23/06/2016CCC00100Animal Protection (in relation to hares) Bill 2015: Second Stage [Private Members] � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 888 DÁIL ÉIREANN Déardaoin, 23 Meitheamh 2016 Thursday, 23 June 2016 Chuaigh an Ceann Comhairle i gceannas ar 12 p�m� Paidir. Prayer. 23/06/2016A00100Leaders’ Questions 23/06/2016A00200Deputy Michael McGrath: I beg the indulgence of the Ceann Comhairle� I am sure the Tánaiste will want to join with me in congratulating the Irish soccer team and management on their outstanding success last night� It was a tremendous victory against Italy in Lille� They have done us proud, as have the fans, over the past number of weeks� We wish them all the best in the last 16 games, and Northern Ireland as well� I want to again raise with the Tánaiste the issue of motor insurance premiums, which con- tinue to soar� She knows the facts pretty well at this stage� There has been an increase of 60% in premiums since the beginning of 2014 and in the past 12 months alone there has been an increase of some 35%� The bottom line is that motorists have had enough of these unacceptable and unsustainable premium hikes� This is now a priority issue, not just for private motorists but for the many businesses which are feeling the brunt of these savage increases� Fianna Fáil put this issue firmly on the Dáil agenda two weeks ago through a Private Members’ motion that we put forward� It was agreed unanimously by the House on that occasion� The motion called for a number of things, but the principal element was the establishment of an independent task force along the lines of the Motor Insurance Advisory Board, which very successfully tackled this issue some years ago� When motions are passed by the House, they represent the will of the Members of Dáil Éireann and, through us, the will of the people we represent� Motions passed by Dáil Éireann cannot simply be ignored by the Government� What steps does the Government intend to take to tackle this issue and implement the measures set out in the motion which was agreed by the House? Fianna Fáil acknowledges that there is no silver bullet to resolve the issue� While the Gov- ernment does not control the cost of premiums, it can influence many of the factors behind the level of increases we are witnessing� The problem is that we simply do not know who to believe and do not have the data to reach reasoned conclusions� The industry tells us, for example, that the reason behind the premium hikes lies in the area of claims, in the number of claims and the cost of settling claims� However, the data we have does not back that up� For example, 785 Dáil Éireann the total amount paid out by insurance companies on claims for 2014 - the most recent data we have - was 36% less than the amount paid out in 2011� We need measures to tackle false and exaggerated claims and legal costs� We also need a national claims register and to look at the level of awards being made� We must also review the role of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, PIAB� I welcome the fact that some work is being done in that area� One of the main difficulties as I see it is the fact that the vast majority of claims are now being settled out of court and outside of the PIAB process so we do not have any oversight or transparency and we need a national claims register� Insurance premium increases are typically of the order of €200 to €300, with many increases for far greater amounts� That is not acceptable� We need action� What is the Government doing to tackle the issue on behalf of consumers? 23/06/2016B00200The Tánaiste: I, too, congratulate the Republic of Ireland soccer team on what was a mo- mentous win last night in Lille� The match and that goal will rank right up there with the best of our memories of Irish soccer� I say well done to Martin, Roy, Robbie and the entire team and, of course, the fans who, everyone will agree, have done us proud and lifted all our spirts� I say very well done to them and the best of luck� On the issue Deputy Michael McGrath raised about motor insurance and the reports and reality of sharp increases in motor insurance being charged to some people, as the Deputy is aware, the Government is concerned about it� Motor insurance is a very important part of the household budget and the kinds of increases we have seen have a serious impact� A number of Departments, State bodies and private sector organisations have an interest in the cost of motor insurance. I am advised by the Minister for Finance that he has asked his officials to examine the factors which contribute to the increasing cost of insurance� Deputy McGrath himself set out the multifaceted nature of the increases and the work that needs to be done� The work is part of an overall review of policy in the insurance sector, which the Depart- ment of Finance is carrying out in consultation with the Central Bank and other Departments, agencies and external stakeholders� The objective of the review is to recommend measures to improve the functioning and regulation of the insurance sector. The first phase of the review is focused on the motor insurance compensation framework and that work is nearing completion� The next phase involves examining the factors contributing to the increasing cost of insurance and identifying what short-term measures – as the Deputy said, the matter is urgent – could be introduced to help reduce the cost of insurance for consumers and businesses while also ad- dressing those measures that need more long-term policy implementation�