Insurance fraud and penalty points
Wilson supported calls for a debate on insurance fraud and a Garda fraud unit, and backed the amendments on the Order of Business. He then asked the Minister for Transport to come to the House to discuss the penalty points regime.
The interpretation that has been put on some of the comments made has not been remotely helpful.
Comment on this
I wish to join my colleagues, Senators Leyden, Lawlor, Davitt, Conway and Reilly, in calling for a debate on insurance fraud. I support the call by my colleague in the Lower House, Deputy Brendan Smith, for a designated unit of the Garda fraud squad to be set up to specifically investigate these cases.
Several proposals to amend the Order of Business have been tabled. As Whip of the Fianna Fáil Party, we will support these amendments. I do not believe that this is sufficiently important legislation for it to be rushed through this House. Senator Lawlor is not too long in this House, but if he, along with some of his other colleagues, had his way then, we would not have this House to debate anything.
Comment on this
I have sat through almost every hour of the debate so far whether on the floor or in the Chair. It is an excellent debate. I pay tribute to those who have participated in it, including Senators McDowell, Bacik and Norris as well as the Minister. It is an informative debate.
This is something that, in my opinion and in the opinion of my party, is not necessary because we have had an excellent mechanism, the Judicial Appointments Advisory Board, to propose to the Government people for appointment as judges. As has been pointed out by Senator Leyden, save in one instance, it has been almost 100% flawless so there is no need for this legislation.
Finally, when he is in the mode of concentrating on the portfolio he has been allocated by the Taoiseach, I would like to invite Senator Ross to the House.
Comment on this
I am sorry. I am referring to the former Senator and now Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross. I wish to invite him to the House to debate the penalty points regime. Too many areas are covered by this penalty points system. It is making a mockery of what should be concentrated upon by An Garda Síochána and other units.