asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the total value of the motor insurance premiums paid in Ireland in each of the past five years.

Premiums paid in Ireland since 1972 are as follows, to the nearest thousand pounds:

1972, £22,172,000; 1973, £27,480,000; 1974, £35,277,000; 1975, £44,790,000; 1976, £55,311,000.

14.

asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the number of insurance companies operating motor insurance in Ireland; and if he is satisfied that the normal element of competition in respect of this insurance prevails at the present time.

There are 22 companies transacting motor insurance business at present.

I am satisfied that there is a considerable degree of competition in the motor insurance market at present. This is evidenced by the big decrease in the number of complaints of inability to get cover or of exorbitant premium rates. The improvement on the position of a couple of years ago is probably due primarily to the more realistic level of premium rates today and to the entry of new insurers to the market. At the same time I am not yet satisfied that competition is as active as I would like it to be and I am continuing to keep this matter under surveillance.

Could the Parliamentary Secretary say if she has any specific measures in mind?

There are certain specific measures in mind but I am not prepared to disclose them at this point.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in many cases insurance companies which would appear to be separate are in fact one and the same company and because of that there is lack of competition? What steps would she take to have this matter made known to her and how would she propose to rectify the problem?

I have said that I am not satisfied that competition is as keen as it should be and the matter is being kept under surveillance within the Department, and proposals will be made which will be acted upon.

15.

asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if he is aware that a motor insurance company (name supplied) recently increased its insurance premium for first time drivers by 20 per cent; if approval for this increase was granted; and if so, when and why.

I am not so aware. I have been assured by the company that they have not in fact increased their rates for the category of driver in question.

16.

asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the total cost of claims paid out in respect of motor insurance in each of the past five years.

Claims paid by motor insurers over the past five years were as follows, to the nearest thousand pounds: 1972, £11,841,000; 1973, £12,555,000; 1974, £16,351,000; 1975, £21,861,000; 1976, £25,510,000.

17.

asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy the percentage increases granted to insurance companies in respect of motor insurance in the past year; and the basis on which these increases were granted.

Motor insurers generally were allowed a 25 per cent increase in premium rates with effect from 1 March, 1977 although some companies were not able to implement the increase until a later date. Two companies were granted greater increases; one was granted a 41 per cent increase for motorcycle business and the other a 50 per cent increase for private cars. The increases were allowed because the income of the companies, including investment income, was not sufficient to meet financial requirements, including the maintenance of reserves and solvency margins.

18.

asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy if any EEC Directives have been issued to the effect that there be uniformity in the cost of motor insurance premiums by insurance companies.

The answer to the Deputy's question is "No".