Insurance fraud unit
Deputy Quinlivan accused the Government of abandoning the Garda insurance fraud unit and failing to tackle insurance costs for businesses. The Justice Minister denied any abandonment, said the Garda Commissioner was actively engaged on the issue, and urged a fuller debate; the Deputy insisted he had already tabled a Topical Issue matter.
Can the Taoiseach explain why his Government has announced that it is abandoning the Garda insurance fraud unit? That unit specialises in insurance fraud which has been a Government policy, via the work of the cost of insurance working group, since early 2017 and was fully endorsed by the Personal Injuries Commission. Businesses are closing down across the country and this Government is too afraid to stand up to the insurance companies to tackle considerable insurance costs. Why has the Government abandoned the insurance fraud unit and what can the Minister tell business owners who are struggling to keep their doors open due to the high insurance costs?
Comment on this
I would welcome an opportunity for a more intense debate on this issue and invite the Deputy to table a Topical Issue matter. I would be very happy to deal with it.
Comment on this
I tabled a Topical Issue matter on this topic this morning but it was not selected for priority.
Comment on this
It is not true to say the Government has abandoned anything. I have discussed this issue with the Garda Commissioner over a number of months. The Garda Commissioner, who is the director of operations of An Garda Síochána, is actively engaged on this issue. I support him in his plan but, rather than engage in soundbite politics, I invite the Deputy to table the issue for more substantive debate later today or tomorrow. I will be available.
Comment on this
I did table a Topical Issue matter.