Ireland will successfully exit the bailout programme later this year thanks to its flexible workforce in the private sector and the US export market, the international bankers’ body, the Institute of International Finance claimed.

Almost 60,000 credit card driving licences are now in use since the system went live at the start of the year.

Insurance representatives have agreed to question firms over claims that the cost of cover for homes is being hiked up or denied because properties are being assessed mainly according to their location.

The head of the Irish Insurance Federation has urged the Central Bank to investigate “churning” in the life assurance industry.

Gardaí should be given powers to check the mobile phone records of motorists involved in fatal accidents to see if they were on the phone at the time of the crash.

An Oireachtas committee is set to grill the insurance industry on flood cover ahead of a major EU report which is expected to recommend that flood-risk properties be insured.

Rumblings of insurance companies playing hardball with householders and businesses affected by the recent floods are beginning to emerge just a few short weeks after the event.

Rumblings of insurance companies playing hardball with householders and businesses affected by the recent floods are beginning to emerge just a few short weeks after the event.

The Irish Infrastructure Fund has completed its first investment in the renewable sector by acquiring majority interest in the portfolio of wind farms from Viridian Group for an undisclosed fee.

The damage to the rest of Europe from Greece leaving the euro would be “somewhere between catastrophic and Armageddon”, the chief negotiator for the body representing private sector holders of Greek bonds said yesterday.

A disorderly Greek default would cause more than a €1,000bn of damage to the eurozone and could leave Italy and Spain dependent on outside help to stop contagion spreading, the main bondholders group has said.

Crisis talks on a debt deal for Greece will continue today after a five-hour meeting between the prime minister and coalition government party leaders failed to reach agreement.

Crisis talks in Greece for huge new debt deals will continue tomorrow, leaders of parties supporting the country’s coalition government have said .

As Athens is caught in the middle of a game of brinkmanship with its creditors, the EU warned they wanted new reforms even before they sign up to the second bailout and its austerity programme.

Crucial negotiations between the Greek government and its private creditors on a bond swap deal needed to avoid default appeared close to collapse today.

THE Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) yesterday announced the estimated total insured cost of last October’s floods at €127 million.

Some €127m worth of insurance claims have been registered as a result of last October's floods in the east of the country.

GERMAN Chancellor Angela Merkel and the International Monetary Fund’s managing director, Christine Lagarde, will meet in Berlin tonight as pressure grows to complete the Greek debt swap needed to put a rescue plan in place.

Greece’s prime minister is due to hold talks with labour unions and trade federations ahead of a crucial visit by the country’s debt inspectors while Athens negotiates the terms of a second multimillion-euro international bailout.

Police guarding Greece’s parliament have fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse rioting youths, as thousands marched through Athens in an annual protest to the US embassy.

THE issue of fraudulent insurance claims has been highlighted after a man was captured on CCTV staging a fall in a Limerick shop.

THE European Central Bank is “being stretched” in its current role as buyer of last resort for European sovereign debt, the head of a global association of financial institutions has said.

CASH-STRAPPED consumers are facing another financial hit to their pocket with news that the cost of home insurance has risen by an average of 6% since April.

EXPERTS are working overtime to come up with a second Greek bailout worth about €120 billion for Thursday’s emergency eurozone summit.

EUROPE bought time this weekend to avoid a Greek bankruptcy, but tough negotiations lie ahead to save Athens and prevent the eurozone debt crisis from descending into global drama.

Dublin: Newly-elected president of the Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) Gerry Hassett has called on the Government to provide clarity around pensions policy and address the looming pensions crisis which will be the next big fiscal challenge for the country.

THE Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) wants greater clarification from the Central Bank over claims that the majority of insurance firms are failing to comply with the consumer protection code.

HIKES in household premiums are on the cards after insurance companies paid out more than €220 million in claims related to last December’s cold snap.

HIKES in household premiums are on the cards after insurance companies paid out more than €220 million in claims related to last December’s cold snap.

THERE has been a surge in the number of cases of possible insurance fraud following tip-offs to the country’s main insurance fraud hotline.

AS a society we are paying a huge price for turning a blind eye to very many practices that bordered on the dishonest.

THE insurance industry has predicted insurance costs will rise for female motorists and male pension policies following a landmark ruling by the European Court of Justice that setting insurance prices on the basis of gender is discriminatory.

INSURERS are restricting the number of homes they are offering flood cover to as the industry paid out in Europe €1 billion in the last 14 months on weather-related incidents.

LAST year’s cold snap led to the biggest ever insurance bill for a single weather event in Ireland, with a massive €297 million being paid out by insurers during the period.

INSURANCE costs have soared by a quarter in the last three years with home cover alone increasing by 40%.

REPORTS from members of the public to a confidential hotline dedicated to preventing insurance fraud have sky-rocketed since the start of the recession.

HOMEOWNERS could face premium hikes after insurance companies announced record pay-outs due to the devastating impact of floods and freezing temperatures last winter.

AN independent investigation into how the insurance industry has treated victims of last November’s floods crisis must take place to ensure those affected are not left unprotected this winter.

VICTIMS of the late 2009 floods’ crisis are set to use an independent report they have commissioned as a “precursor” to a multi-million euro law suit against the state.

THE Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) has insisted the industry is not responsible for the delays faced by policy holders who have yet to be compensated for flood damage caused eight months ago.

THE number of insurance fraud cases investigated by the insurance industry more than doubled in 2009 and has already seen a fresh surge in the first quarter of this year.

HUNDREDS of flood victims from last November’s crisis are being refused new cover when their policies are up for renewal.

CORK and Galway’s flood victim groups are set to join forces over claims insurance firms are deliberately delaying pay-outs following the November crisis.

More than half a billion euro has been paid out by insurance companies during the recent flooding and freezing weather.