Michael Noonan open to establishing task force to probe car insurance price hikes
It comes amid growing opposition pressure to address the controversial issue.
Mr Noonan confirmed last night he may consider setting up an expert group to examine the issue — but only if his department’s internal review concludes that it is needed.
Speaking during the first night of a two-day Dáil debate on the matter sought by Fianna Fáil counterpart Michael McGrath, the minister for finance repeatedly said that the relevant actions are being taken to examine alleged 100% increases in premium costs.
The Limerick TD said the Department of Finance is already overseeing an internal review of the situation and would not oppose the opposition motion seeking a wider examination by an independent task force.
While this does not commit the Government to setting up such a group as the request is a motion and not a legislative bill, Mr Noonan appeared to back track on recent Fine Gael statements by saying he may establish a task force in the near future.
However, in a move that led to fresh frustration from the opposition, he clarified the remark by saying this will only take place if the Department of Finance review finds it is warranted.
Fianna Fáil finance spokesperson Michael McGrath — who has repeatedly raised the issue over the past year — had earlier hit out at the failure to date to set up a task force, saying “there is a responsibility on us to get to the bottom of the reasons why” premium costs are surging.
He said it is “vital” an independent task force is set up within weeks followed by a national claims register to provide absolute clarity on how the premium costs are collated, saying “there is no transparency” in the current system.
Supporting his colleague, Fianna Fáil enterprise spokesperson Niall Collins said he was aware of one small taxi firm in Limerick which has seen its insurance costs rise from €7,000 to more than €50,000 in just three years, despite not making any claims, and demanded action on the matter.
While noting that the Government is not blocking the opposition motion, Fianna Fáil TD Marc MacSharry added pointedly that allowing the motion to pass must mean its points are implemented.
“If we passed a motion to travel to the moon by the end of August, the minister need only say its noted,” he said.
The Fianna Fáil motion, which was backed by Sinn Féin and Labour, is due to be voted on tonight.
