asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the action he proposes to take to ensure that all companies handling motor insurance itemise the individual elements in the total premiums paid by an existing customer when his cover is being renewed.

All insurance companies are prepared to give a breakdown of motor premium to policyholders on request. Two companies who between them insure approximately 60 per cent of private motor cars in Ireland automatically give a breakdown of the total premiums charged with renewal notices.

In March of this year I reminded the remaining companies that I expected them to move as soon as possible towards a situation where the breakdown was given automatically on renewal notices. Some of these companies are now in the process of making arrangements to this end. I propose making contact with those companies not providing the breakdown in the next few weeks and agreeing deadlines by which this requirement will be met.

When these two companies give a break down, is the Parliamentary Secretary satisfied there will not be an increase in premiums?

There is no apparent link between the breakdown and the premiums.