asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if his Department have yet issued to the Motorists' Association (PMPA) Ltd. the warrant sought by the Association with a view to issuing insurance guarantees to motorists; and, if not, when it is likely that the required warrant will be issued.

I have not issued such a warrant. The Association recently, however, notified me of its intention to form a company which would apply for a licence, under the Insurance Acts, to carry on mechanically propelled vehicle insurance business. As a first step towards the formation of such a company, the Association has applied for and has been granted a warrant authorising the lodgment of £15,000 with the Accountant of the Courts of Justice.

I have not yet, of course, come to any decision on the grant of an insurance licence to the proposed company.

Is the Minister not perfectly aware that this very important matter is being thrown about between the Minister and the PMPA for quite a long time? Is it not time, in the interests of the ordinary public, that a decision was arrived at and that these people were told what exactly they may do and may not do. May I point out——

The Deputy is making a speech.

No, I am asking the Minister to make clear what his attitude is towards the PMPA and when he is going to give them permission to issue insurance cover, or is he going to hold them up until everybody else has made a fortune out of it, as they are doing at the moment?

I can assure the Deputy that when the application proper comes before me for examination, it will get fair consideration.

This thing is going on for ages and I want to put it to the Minister fairly and squarely—is he going to give them permission to issue insurance cover?

They originally applied under the procedure provided under the Insurance Acts which I did not regard as appropriate to the body concerned. They have reapplied in this fashion only very recently and the matter is being considered.