The programme for Government promised to tackle the high costs of insurance. Just yesterday we were informed there was going to be another spike in the high costs of home and motor insurance. The Government is dragging its feet on this issue. Measures have to be introduced as soon as possible to tackle this and to stop the culture of bogus claims that are causing the costs of premiums to rise continuously. Some people are making a career from bogus claims and I would like the insurance companies to examine this situation. The attitude of insurance companies is ridiculous in not challenging claims because it may cost them more to take on the claimant than if they just paid out. I ask the Taoiseach and his Ministers to look at the situation, to see if they could bring the insurance companies in to let them know they have to challenges cases if there is local knowledge or proof that a person is involved in a bogus claim. I do not care if the payout is €30,000 and if the cost to the company is €40,000 to prove that it is bogus. They should prove that the claims are bogus, should stop those claims-----

I will have to ask the Deputy to stop now because his time is up.

-----and tidy up and frighten people off-----

Can the Deputy resume his seat.

-----from engaging in illegal behaviour.

In a general sense, I would like to see the Civil Liability Bill processed which would allow for periodic payments to be made in cases where there have been catastrophic injuries and where the case can go on for years. In response to Deputy Healy-Rae, the Minister of State, Deputy Eoghan Murphy is doing a great deal of work on the insurance business at the moment. He is meeting with all the insurance companies and dealing with all the surrounding concerns. He expects to bring his proposals to the Dáil before Christmas, in a few weeks' time.