Members have one minute each, at most, to put a question and there is one minute, at most, for a reply. I intend to adhere to that.

Insurance companies in Ireland are still ripping off their customers. The industry pocketed huge savings during the pandemic. In 2020, the cost of claims to insurance companies fell by 20%, but the price of premiums for customers fell by only 7% and the average rebate was a mere €17. The cost of claims is set to fall again this year but it is very clear insurance companies cannot be trusted to do the right thing and will have to be forced to pass savings to hard-pressed customers. Legislation introduced by my colleague Deputy Pearse Doherty requires insurers to pass savings to customers euro for euro, but the Government has blocked this legislation for nine months while also frustrating Sinn Féin's attempts to ban the loyalty penalty. The Government has let consumers down and the insurance industry off the hook. When will the Government end its blocking of Deputy Doherty's Bill and give ripped-off insurance customers a break?

The Government has a comprehensive programme relating to insurance reform, with the key objective of getting premiums lowered. I accept that the industry must do more to meet the needs of consumers and to get prices down. The Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, has outlined a range of initiatives that he is undertaking in respect of insurance reform and legislation. The Deputy will know about the Judicial Council and the work on awards being reduced. There has been a significant reduction in awards in the courts and that should lead to a reduction in the cost of premiums. It is something the Government will continue to focus on, as well as reform of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, PIAB, system.