Car insurance costs
Senator O'Reilly raises the steep rise in car insurance as a major burden, especially in rural areas with limited public transport.
I raise with the Leader the very serious matter of car insurance and the huge increase in cost during the past year. It has increased by approximately 40%, on average. This is extraordinarily difficult for so many throughout the country. In places that do not have trains and buses - large chunks of Ireland - it is a tax on work. It makes it almost impossible for young people and people generally to get to work in these areas. It has become a real difficulty and is a real issue for so many families. It could represent hundreds of euro in increases and is not sustainable. The issue needs immediate action. I am aware of the fact and it is welcome that the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, is chairing a working group on car insurance to look at solutions. I understand the group will report quickly. I put it to the Leader that we need action on and a debate on the issue. We need a series of actions across a number of Departments. They must happen in the coming months since most car insurance renewals begin in January and the spring. The issue needs resolution in the short term. A range of areas need to be looked at, including the nature of claims. A complete package of measures needs to be looked at. All I am saying is it is an extraordinary hardship and a tax on work. It is very unfair and affects many drivers. A person was talking to me this morning who had an absolutely clean record, yet their insurance premium had gone up by something like €700. The person in question has no record of accidents or malpractice. It is a serious matter. It is probably one of the greatest difficulties confronting ordinary people in trying to go about normal business. I am not talking about leisure driving but about people who are trying to get to work. I hope we can have action and a debate on the matter.