asked the Minister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism if he is aware of discrimination against the unemployed in relation to the availability of motor insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I am not aware of any discrimination against the unemployed in relation to the availability of motor insurance.

If the Deputy is aware of any particular instance where such discrimination is alleged to have taken place, perhaps he would forward the information to my Department for investigation.

Is the Minister aware that when one is described as unemployed on an application for motor insurance that person finds it difficult to get cover? Would the Minister accept, in a situation in which a person loses his or her job, that that constitutes discrimination?

I am not aware of any such case. I would take a very serious view of any such case and, if the Deputy has a specific one in mind I shall be only too glad to look into it.

I will certainly take the Minister up on that.