Is the Minister aware of the widespread practice and belief amongst car insurers that, in the event of accidents, the position is that the cost of repairs seems to be inordinately high when it is known that it is an insurance case? Has the Minister's Department made any inquiries in an effort to curb this practice which I am sure is only confined to a minority of unscrupulous garage dealers?

Complaints have been made and they are being inquired into.

What is the nature of the inquiry and when will the result of it be to hand?

The inquiry is being made to discover whether the claims made stand up to investigation. If they do, as far as the Department have any control we will ensure that such things do not recur.

Is any consideration being given to the standardisation of repair costs so that people who are covered by insurance will have some sort of criteria by which to judge costs?

Not at present.