Consumers group criticises plan for new car and home levies

The Consumers Association of Ireland has criticised proposals to introduce new car and house insurance levies.

The Consumers Association of Ireland has criticised proposals to introduce a new car and house insurance levy.

Struggling consumers look set to be hit with new levy, in a bid to make up a €620m shortfall from the collapse of Quinn Insurance.

Anglo Irish Bank and Liberty Mutual, who have agreed to buy the insurance company, are not willing to take on all the losses on its books.

CEO of the Consumers Association of Ireland Dermot Jewell says that does not mean that consumers should pay the price:

"Nobody who would take on this levy would have played any part in bringing about the necessity for it," he said. "The reality is that every single one of those consumers is already struggling."