asked the Minister for the Environment if he will seek a renegotiation of the agreement with the Motor Insurers' Bureau to secure compensation for victims of "hit and run" accidents as of right in cases where the motorist concerned remains untraced.

I understand that the EEC Commission is considering the issue of civil liability in respect of the use of motor vehicles. At this stage I have no proposals for the renegotiation of the agreement with the Motor Insurers' Bureau.

Would the Minister of State not agree that it is now approximately 20 years since that agreement was negotiated and that it is high time the matter was taken up afresh with the Motor Insurers' Bureau to ensure that compensation can be obtained for the numerous victims of hit and run accidents in the State?

It came up at a working party in Brussels in April. I am waiting to see what the outcome of the negotiations will be. When I know what they are I will look into the matters the Deputy has raised and I will discuss the matter with the Motor Insurance Bureau.