We use Google Analytics to see which pages are read and how the site is used, so we know what to improve. This only runs if you accept. See our privacy notice for details.

Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

Mart insurance costs

Summary

Deputy Doherty raised rising mart insurance premiums and warned that marts were becoming unsustainable. The Taoiseach said insurance costs were being tackled through engagement with the industry, the Central Bank and the Courts Service, and that some progress had been made.

Look at the amount of money increased in the directive.

Comment on this

No, Deputy, there is only one go at this.

Comment on this

It shows how many people are crossing the Border.

Comment on this

Please, Deputy Healy-Rae.

Comment on this

The only reason they are doing so is that we are not doing the operations here. The Taoiseach is ignoring that.

Comment on this

It has been known for years.

Comment on this

I ask Deputy Healy-Rae to resume his seat. There are just three Deputies remaining.

I will take 30-second questions from each of them and we will get answers.

Comment on this

I appreciate that. I raised the rip-off cost of mart insurance on Topical Issues 18 months ago. At the time, the Minister of State, Deputy D'Arcy, referred the matter to the insurance industry, which is what he always does. The insurance industry told him there was no issue, but there is an issue. A mart in County Laois which had been in operation for 51 years has had to close its doors because mart insurance premiums increased for the fourth year in a row. Serious concerns are being raised about the sustainability of marts across the country. The Taoiseach has to acknowledge that the Government's plan is not working. I am asking for serious measures and actions to be taken by the Minister of State. He needs to meet mart managers and operators to listen to their concerns and to the proposals they are making. I am asking the Taoiseach to ensure this happens.

Comment on this

The programme for Government states clearly that the Government is committed to a policing service that is visible. We have had many instances of rural crime. I know this is constantly denied in this Chamber. A farmer in Dunkerrin, County Offaly, was recently burgled for the seventh time. There was a similar incident on the Laois-Carlow border in the last week. There is worry and concern. The reality is that these crimes are happening. Although we have a good police service, gardaí are not able to cover large rural areas. I believe that is the problem here. They are doing their best, but they cannot cover the large rural areas. Will the Minister take action? Will he increase the number of gardaí in rural counties like Laois and Offaly?

Comment on this

In view of the discrepancies in the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015, particularly in Part 9, when will the debate on the civil registration Bill 2019 commence?

Comment on this

Who will take those questions?

Comment on this
Leo Varadkar The Taoiseach Fine Gael

I will take the first one and leave the second and third questions to the Ministers, Deputies Flanagan and Regina Doherty.

The Government is very aware of the impact of increasing insurance costs on individuals, households and businesses, including marts. We have had a long-standing engagement with the industry, the Central Bank and the Courts Service on this issue. That was initially led by the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, but is now being led by the Minister of State, Deputy D'Arcy. It is showing some good results. The cost of health insurance plateaued and has subsequently fallen a little. The cost of car insurance has decreased since 2016. I appreciate that the cost of public liability insurance is still a problem. We will continue to work with the various groups to try to bring costs down.

Comment on this