Robert Troy
Longford-Westmeath · Fianna Fáil · Ireland
“Only last weekend, I had the honour of representing the Taoiseach at the commemoration of those who had lost their lives at the Battle of the Somme. The presence of the deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland was a very positive development. I understand that it was the first time she was present in Dublin for that commemoration.”
“People deserve to know and understand not just the aspiration but the implication for their livelihoods, public services and future. Transparency is something I have tried to foster during my term as Minister of State in the Department of Finance. People expect it and are savvy enough to find it themselves.”
“I welcome the opportunity to contribute on this debate on the financial implications of Irish unity. It is fair to say that it is an important discussion and one that deserves to be approached with seriousness, honesty and respect.”
“If we are serious about unity - I believe we all are - we must be equally serious about preparation. That includes asking the difficult but necessary questions, including about the role of the UK in supporting any transition, whether financial contributions over a defined period would form part of any agreement and how the EU could be inv…”
“While many will view these as barriers so as to delay and misinform, we need to realise that our island has overcome its fair share of barriers in the past and we have the capacity to overcome any barriers in the future. What we should be looking at are the opportunities that a united Ireland presents.”
“It can be secured through reassurance, actions and compromise. Deputy Lahart indicated some of the compromises that may need to be considered. From a financial perspective, we need to look for clarity. Some fundamental questions need to be addressed. What would happen to public services? How would taxation be structured?”
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“GPs are encouraged to initiate treatment for suspected endometriosis and then to refer to secondary care for laparoscopy if symptoms are severe. This referral pathway is the same for all specialist health services in Ireland. While the national framework for endometriosis is still being finalised before publication, it is important to note that specialist services in the regional hubs and supra-regional sites are operational and taking referrals. The defined clinics in Galway and at the National Maternity Hospital, while accepting referrals, are not yet fully developed to the same level as other hubs. Services are expanding as recruitment progresses for the outstanding posts. I am advised that most women referred to specialist endometriosis services and gynaecology services are seen within six months.”
“The HSE's national women and infants health programme has led on the development of the national endometriosis framework and on the expansion of existing endometriosis services. The HSE has advised that it shared an agreed framework with the Irish Medical Organisation, IMO, on 7 July. Alongside the development of specialist treatment centres, work is continuing in education and training, in reducing the threshold for investigations for suspected endometriosis and in raising the index of suspicion, all of which will go towards reducing the time for diagnosis and treatment. The diagnostic criteria for endometriosis are determined by clinical experts in the field. The clinical guidelines and the framework emphasise individualised woman-centred care rather than a rigid staging approach to determine the extent of disease.”
“The multidisciplinary teams will include specialist consultant roles in colorectal care, urology and radiology, along with women's health physiotherapists, dieticians, psychologists, specialist nurses and healthcare assistants. Recruitment for these funded posts is actively ongoing to further expand specialist capacity. The Minister for Health and the Government are committed to promoting and improving women's health outcomes, including the expansion of specialist services in endometriosis. Our commitment is spelled out very clearly in the programme for Government. I accept some people wish for the five-year programme to be implemented in five or six months but that is not possible.”
“I thank the Ceann Comhairle for facilitating me to speak. I welcome the visitors in the Gallery. I thank the speakers who contributed so passionately to the debate. I recognise the profound and adverse impact endometriosis can have on the life and health of women affected by this chronic disease, which is one of the most common gynaecological conditions in Ireland. It is difficult to determine exactly how many women are impacted. There is a long pathway to diagnosis for many women and long-term follow-up care, including specialist pain management and psychological support, may be required. Recognising the wide-ranging impact of the condition, multidisciplinary teams have been established to deliver holistic, woman-centred care.”
“I always took pride in the work of local government, but I am not blind to the need for it to be more efficient, transparent and accountable, not just to the elected politicians, but to the people they serve. This task force is an opportunity to do that. I will happily work with the Senator on putting forward real, tangible proposals that will enhance and strengthen the role of local government because citizens deserve that, as do the local politicians who serve on the councils.”
“Budget 2026 is probably only 12 or 13 weeks away. Preparations for it are well advanced in my Department. We are meeting various groups to hear pre-budget submissions and work is under way. If we could get something agreed in the task force, a realistic timeframe would be for budget 2027, given that it is only 12 or 13 weeks to budget 2026. I do not need to tell Senator Fitzpatrick what to do because she is acutely aware of how to do her work, but I encourage her to focus her efforts and work with the local authorities to make a submission to the task force. If the case is not made to the task force, then it may not be part of its proposal. That is what should happen in the first instance. As someone who served in local government for nine years, I welcome the task force.”
“I encourage Senator Fitzpatrick, with her colleagues on Dublin City Council, to make a submission to the task force to show there is a desire and willingness to work on a potential new levy. The task force could consider that and ultimately report to the Government.”
“The latter's Department would be in a position to advise on any implications such a proposal would have on tourism, as well as being in a position to provide observations on the impact on businesses in the sector. Any proposal on funding for local authorities would also need to be considered by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation in the context of all other expenditure priorities and as part of the annual Estimates process. From previous engagement with the Senator I am aware that she has already engaged in consultation with that Department. Any questions on the work of the local democracy task force are for the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in the first instance. To summarise, the key here is the task force that has been established.”
“Any such proposal would examine the range of policy considerations, including the possible impact on tourism as well as the design and scope of such a levy. This would include consideration of what flexibility local authorities would have in setting an amount for such a levy and whether it was applied universally to all visitors every night. Whether such a levy would apply a single rate or whether it would facilitate different bands of rates is another issue that might require consideration. I expect that, in developing any policy proposal in this area, the Minister, Deputy Browne, will consult with his colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Deputy Peter Burke.”
“The key here is new or alternative revenue-raising powers, which could potentially include an accommodation levy. In the event that the task force suggests that local authorities be given powers to put an accommodation levy in place, this matter can be considered in the first instance by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. As the Senator will appreciate, there are a range of policy issues that could arise from any new levy or charge to be set by local authorities and that would need to be considered before a proposal could be discussed by the Government. On foot of advice from his Department, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage may choose to bring a proposal for an accommodation levy to the Cabinet.”
“One matter that the task force is to consider is that of granting councillors greater input and control over the development and implementation of the local authority budget and mechanisms to enhance the fiscal autonomy of local authorities. Both the Senator and I served on our own local authorities, and certainly one could be frustrated at times by the restrictions placed on our powers by the unavailability of funding. The task force will report to the Government in 2026. Under its terms of reference, consideration will be given as to ways in which local authorities could increase fiscal autonomy through own resources, including wider variation options for local property tax, by reviewing existing revenue-raising and debt management options and matched funding requirements.”
“I thank the Senator for raising this issue, which has been raised recently in national media. As the Senator will be aware, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has responsibility for the financial well-being and effective financial management and accountability of local authorities. Where a policy change in relation to local government finances and funding is sought, the first consideration will be by that Department. The Senator will be aware that the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy James Browne, and the Minister of State with responsibility for planning and local government, Deputy John Cummins, announced the establishment of the local democracy task force to finalise a programme of reform and strengthen local government in Ireland on 5 June.”
“I acknowledge the good work Deputy Ardagh has done in this area, both in this Dáil and in the last Seanad. She galvanised support across the various political parties to ensure that cancer survivors who have come through cancer for a prolonged period can access life insurance when availing of a mortgage. Owing to the good work the Deputy has done and the legislation that has been drafted, I am pleased to advise that my Department will be uploading an electronic submission for the Cabinet's consideration next Tuesday. If the Cabinet is duly minded, I would hope that we would be able to introduce the legislation before the summer recess, recognising a commitment in the programme for Government. We would not have been able to move it at the pace we have moved it were it not for the Deputy's work. I acknowledge that and thank the Deputy.”
“HIQA was established as a response to a previous exposé of elder abuse. Why was it not established on day one with adequate powers to fine private operators which are failing abysmally in their responsibility to their residents? Can we ensure that, out of this, we will see adequate powers in place for HIQA and that HIQA will concentrate on the provision of care, not the quality of building?”
“Funding for public services in this area has increased in the last number of years, with additional home care hours and additional daycare centres, and people have seen the benefit, but much more needs to be done. We need to remove the 16-week waiting list to be assessed for home care services. We need to ensure that people who are approved for home care hours get them seven days a week, not five days a week. If you need care on a Monday, you are going to need it on a bank holiday Monday, a Saturday or a Sunday. We need to ensure that the daycare centres are expanded regardless of their geographical location. The previous programme for Government committed to a statutory home care package. Why is there a delay? Can the Minister of State commit to that package being introduced as a priority by this Government?”
“It is equally important that families know that when elder abuse happens and there are failings in nursing homes, there has to be accountability and there have to be consequences for the firms and individuals who perpetrated abuse in these nursing homes. There needs to be accountability for the firms which are receiving €1.2 billion in State funds per annum to support the provision of care. In the next decade, we will see the number of people over 65 increase by 50%. I agree with the previous speaker that the State needs to move away from the privatisation of care and care homes. My experience tells me that the vast majority of people do not want to live out the end of their days in care homes. They would rather remain in their home for as long as practically possible.”
“I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate. We are all quite rightly sickened with the recent "Prime Time" exposé about how certain nursing homes treated residents, the impact that has had on the families of the affected residents and also the impact that has on families who have people in nursing homes. My family has just gone through an agonising number of months, deciding whether nursing home care was the right care for my father. We arrived at that decision a number of weeks ago. It is important that all families realise that this is not a universal problem, because there is serious worry.”
“Expanding the LDA's remit was passed at Cabinet yesterday. We have a Minister who is committed to increasing supply of social, affordable and private houses. Increasing supply to meet demand will ensure we rebalance the cost of rent for people who are renting and rebalance the cost of purchasing houses. This is something we can all agree on. We want to ensure a stable marketplace for the benefit of all of our citizens.”
“I can put my hand on my heart and say that in 21 years as a public representative, I never submitted a planning objection in respect of housing developments in my constituency, whether as a local councillor, a Minister of State or a Member of the Dáil. I do not think everybody on the other side of the House can say that. We have to look at this in the round. The Minister, Deputy Browne, has made huge inroads since he was appointed, and this is one of the latest pieces in the jigsaw. There will be more. An additional €700 million has been secured for social and affordable housing. There has also been the publication of the national planning framework to empower local authorities to zone more land. I hope the local authorities will not shirk their responsibilities because zoning more land will be central to unlocking further housing supply.”
“The very basic principle of economics is supply and demand. Everybody understands that. If we do not have sufficient supply to meet the growing demand, we will not achieve the ultimate objective, which is to bring rents down to a more affordable level for all of our citizens. We want to increase supply, and we have to incentivise people to come back into the rental market. This is something the Housing Agency recommended, in terms of modifying existing rent pressure zones. When we have debates in the Dáil, there is a serious contradiction on the part of people on the other side of the House who say that we need more housing and for houses to be built more quickly, but if they are in the wrong location in their constituencies they do not want those houses to be built.”
“If anything, there will be enhanced protections. Let us be honest with people at the very beginning. The vast majority of landlords are honest people who have bought a small number of properties to act as a form of pension fund. They want long-term leases and good tenants, and nobody is incentivising moving people on. Most tenants want to rent for a period in order that they can put together enough money to buy their own homes. We want a market that works. The Government is bringing fairness, balance and stability to our housing market. The new framework strikes the right balance for existing tenants, and helps to protect them from sharp and unpredictable rent hikes and provides certainty in order to incentivise new landlords and developers to achieve a fair return and encourage continued investment in supply.”
“I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Bill. For the avoidance of any doubt and as most people know, I am a landlord, but that should not preclude me from having the opportunity to contribute to debates on legislation. A previous speaker mentioned that he has been inundated with calls from renters in Limerick who are worried about the future. Current renters in the city of Limerick, like those in County Westmeath, who are governed by existing or RPZ legislation will see no impact. They are protected. There is no change. There will be a 2% increase. Only if tenants choose to leave after six years can a landlord choose to increase rent. If tenants stay for ten years, there will be no difference. In fact, there will be greater protections. The 200,000 people who are currently renting in RPZs will see no difference.”
“It is not in the interest of the innocent people of Gaza to take unilateral action by disregarding EU laws to change a domestic law that would ultimately not achieve its goals of stopping the approval of a Israeli bonds in the EU. It is for these reasons the Government moved the countermotion.”
“I reiterate that this would ultimately be a case of breaking one law to enforce another law and we do not believe it would work. I firmly believe that when the House speaks, we should do so as a unified voice. Ireland has led in this issue, and we have brought others along. As I said, in February 2024 we were one of only two countries that signed the formal letter seeking a review of the EU-Israeli association. Now, the majority of Europe is singing from the same hymn sheet, and we need to make sure that we have a fully unified approach. Ireland is using all the tools it has at its disposal - political, legal, diplomatic and humanitarian - in response to this dreadful conflict.”
“Under the EU prospectus regulation, a prospectus must be created, approved and published when securities are to be offered to the public or admitted to trading on a regulated market in the EU. In the case of Israel, a non-EU trade country, it chose the Irish Central Bank to approve its prospectus post-Brexit, and the bank is obliged under EU law to approve it once it is satisfied that it meets the conditions laid out by the regulations. These conditions concern completeness, consistency, comprehensibility and legality. The Central Bank is not endorsing these bonds. The proposed motion would seek to initiate legislation to stop the Central Bank from fulfilling its obligation under EU law, which the Government has previously been advised would breach our obligation as a member of European Union and leave the State open to legal proceedings.”
“We intervened in South Africa’s International Court of Justice case against Israel on the Genocide Convention, and we recognise Palestine as a sovereign and independent state. The Minister, Deputy Donohoe, already outlined, but I feel it must be reiterated, that the role of the Central Bank has been misrepresented by some in opposition who are sowing division. Some are using this appalling human suffering, unfortunately, for political gain domestically. We should be clear on what the role of the Central Bank is: it is an independent, non-political financial regulator that works under the auspices of law and, in this particular case, with regard to the approval of the Israeli prospectus documentation under EU law. To be clear to the House, the Central Bank does not issue, sell, trade, list or oversee Israeli bonds.”
“We have been building support with international leaders consistently, adding signatures and condemning Israeli action, building alignments towards a unified approach. I fully accept that is not happening near fast enough in comparison to what is happening on the ground in Gaza, but our commitment and our belief in moving the dial is steadfast. Ireland must prioritise co-ordinated action through mechanisms of the EU and the UN to ensure that any measures taken are robust and internationally respected. Sanctions are stronger and more effective when done at unilateral level. Ireland continues to support the review of the EU-Israel association agreement and welcomed the EU decision last month. We were one of the first of two countries to call for that back in February 2024.”
“Not one Deputy or Minister in this House is more horrified than another about the situation in Gaza. Motions like this from the Opposition, while well-meaning, can help sow division when solidarity is needed more than ever in this House. The work of our diplomats in Europe and the United Nations is valued and delicate. We must ensure that their work is allowed to progress unobstructed, and that Ireland continues to build a consensus that can have a lasting impact. Some in the Opposition will measure the success of this motion in media clippings and social media posts tomorrow. Let me be very clear that the Government measures success in this regard very differently, and our work will continue with the utmost resolve to work towards what needs to be done.”
“We cannot seek to uphold international law by breaking EU law. Ireland is a strong voice in Europe on this matter and we have galvanised support among several member states thanks to our leadership and our action, and we need the support of more member states. A unified approach towards the situation in Gaza is the most viable approach. Just as we have a unified approach towards Russia's aggression and destruction in Ukraine, Europe must have the same view and response when it comes to Israeli action in Gaza. Ireland and indeed the world have been found wanting in this area when it comes to the unified approach. This is largely due to the historical reasons of what has been afflicted on the Jewish people in the past, but I feel that is totally wrong and no justification for the lack of action on behalf of some member states.”
“Additionally, we are gravely concerned at the latest assessment by the IPC global hunger monitor that the entire population of Gaza is facing insecurity, with 500,000 people facing starvation. As this House is aware, Ireland is a committed advocate of multilateral action. Ireland implements EU and UN sanctions. When we address complex international issues, it is stressed that measures to be introduced must be negotiated, agreed and introduced at EU and UN level for them to have real credibility and real impact. The collective power of the UN is best placed to promote the objectives of the bloc's foreign and security policy and to bring about a change of the policy of behaviour of the subject of the measure. Any attempt to act unilaterally could undermine the unified approach that we are beginning to see form at EU level.”
“While we hold Israel to account in this House, we must also voice our unreserved condemnation of the role of Hamas in forcing this suffering on the people of Gaza, despite the excessive and disproportionate means of the retaliation the Israeli state has embarked on. We have also condemned the taking of hostages, which is totally unacceptable. I again repeat Ireland's call for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages. It is clear that Hamas has brought only death, destruction and suffering to its own people and to Israel. The Government acknowledges, through our countermotion, that we are united in our disgust at the report by the United Nations of 54,600 people having been killed in Gaza since October 2023, more than 23,000 of whom are women and children.”
“Ireland will continue to uphold these principles as we double down on our commitment to defending and strengthening a stable and secure international environment based on respect for international law. Since the onset of this conflict, Ireland has sought to support humanitarian responses wherever we can. We have provided more than €88 million in support to the people of Palestine, including €58 million for UNRWA since 2023 to support programmes in Gaza. The Government is also pushing ahead with legislation to prohibit imports from illegal settlements in the Occupied Territories in accordance with the commitment in the programme for Government. What is needed now more than ever is urgency on the international stage and a unified approach with a single goal of ending disproportionate suffering.”
“It is our belief, however, that our countermotion is the correct motion for the House to endorse. It sets out the work the Government has done to date but, more importantly, the work we will continue to do to try to help and assist to bring about a peaceful settlement in Palestine. I feel it is important that when this House speaks we do so with a unified voice on this issue. I think our voice is stronger when unified on the international stage. Ireland has been one of the loudest voices internationally bilaterally and multilaterally, repeatedly calling on Israel to comply with international law and stressing the universal applicability of international law, including international humanitarian law.”
“The term "unacceptable" is an understatement. Recent weeks have seen a meagre amount of aid being permitted to enter Gaza and this is completely out of proportion with the scale of the need for humanitarian aid that continues to grow day by day. As previous speakers said, starvation is being used as a weapon of war and the actions of Israel are genocide. I hold a deep respect for the principles at the heart of the Opposition's motion and the Government shares in much of them, such as the collective commitment to human rights and international law. I believe these are principles shared by all Members of the House. As the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, outlined previously, the Government and Social Democrats motions share more common ground than differences when it comes to the issues in Gaza.”
“I address the Dáil today, like all previous speakers, fully aware of and deeply affected by the hardship and suffering of the Palestinian people. I fiercely denounce the ongoing military operation by the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza. It has inflicted more misery and hunger on the people of Gaza. Israel's continued expansion of its military operation in Gaza and its announced establishment of a sustained presence are extremely worrying and will further deepen an already terrible situation. The Government has consistently condemned any arrangement for humanitarian assistance that does not ensure access for the entire population of Gaza. Israel's decision to take control of the distribution of humanitarian aid through private contractors has been described by the UN as unacceptable and "designed to further control and restrict supplies".”
“I thank all the Deputies who have spoken so passionately during this debate about the horrific and inhumane situation in Gaza. Being in government is about doing everything in our power to address issues facing society, but doing it within the confines of international law so real progress can be made. There may be differences of opinion regarding our approach, but I do not for a moment doubt the sincerity of this motion. What is being asked, however, is for the Government to bring in measures where there is a material risk these may be in conflict with an EU treaty. This is what our legal advice states and the practical reality is that this motion would be counterproductive to achieving tangible impacts.”
“I thank the Senator for bringing this motion before the Seanad because it maintains the momentum to which I refer and the focus on this issue. The public expects a system that is fair, fast and functional. With continued collaboration across the Government, the Oireachtas and all stakeholders, I am confident we can deliver a stronger, more competitive and more compassionate insurance market for the future.”
“There is an opportunity with IPB in the area of playgrounds, community events, festivals, etc. More work needs to be done in that regard, but there is an appetite on the part of IPB to do more. When it has an appetite to do more for less, we will try and support that. My third goal is that not only will insurance be available for individuals, families and businesses, it will also be affordable. I have started work in this regard. I have met all the CEOs of the various insurance companies in Ireland. I have met the Alliance for Insurance Reform, Insurance Ireland and IPB. We are determined to work on achieving what we set out to achieve. We are on the right path, but we need to build on the momentum that has been created.”
“The outcome was very positive. That has strengthened my hand in terms of bringing this forward as priority legislation later this year. I will conclude by outlining the three goals I want to achieve during my time in this role. I want to ensure the insurance market works fairly and efficiently for both providers and policyholders. We have to acknowledge that the insurance industry is a substantial employer in Ireland so we need to be fair to providers and policyholders. I will make sure that insurance products are available and accessible, especially for such sectors as childcare, community and voluntary organisations, sports and recreation. The previous speaker acknowledged the good work IPB did in relation to Tidy Towns. That is something I would like to work on further. A colleague on the other side of the House also raised this.”
“We are working with colleagues across the Government and with industry to explore policy options that ensure equity, compassion and dignity for those affected. This reflects our broader aim that insurance must not only be affordable but accessible to all. I acknowledge the legislation that was put forward in the previous Seanad by then Senator Ardagh, now Deputy Ardagh, and Senator Clifford-Lee. Senator Kyne mentioned it this evening and requested that it be a priority. I assure Members that it is a priority for me and the Government. I have already met with the Irish Cancer Society and Insurance Ireland in relation to advancing this proposal. It is worth noting that insurance companies have been operating under a voluntary code in this area for the past 12 months. A review was done, the outcome of which we received recently.”
“The contrast is starker for employer and public liability claims. We must avoid a situation where increasing awards drive a return to higher premiums, slower settlements and more litigation. This would do a disservice to everyone, not least the injured persons. We will continue to engage constructively with the Judicial Council and all stakeholders to ensure the guidelines remain effective and evidence based. In regard to the right to be forgotten, we are actively examining how we can better support cancer survivors to access insurance on fair terms. The right to be forgotten is a complex but important issue. Too many people who have overcome life-threatening illnesses find themselves locked out of financial services not because of risk but because of outdated policy assumptions.”
“The guidelines brought clarity, consistency and a long-overdue realignment of awards with international norms. We are still in the early stages of assessing their full impact and we must proceed cautiously to avoid unravelling the gains made. It was a regrettable step in the most recent legislation to set a review period of three years. The motion now proposes a seven-year period which is much more realistic and would enable the gathering of the robust evidence we are all looking for. We now know from the NCID data that litigated claims carry significantly higher legal costs, approximately 28 times greater than those resolved through the Injuries Resolution Board. These claims also take a longer time to resolve - 5.1 years on average for litigated motor claims versus 2.7 years for claims via the Injuries Resolution Board.”
“In regard to the judicial review of the personal injury guidelines, this issue has generated significant discussion not only in this House but in many channels over the past number of months. One point I make regarding the proposed 16.7% increase in general damages for personal injury awards is that no decision has been taken. The decision to accept or reject it will not be taken by one particular Minister because it is a whole-of-government decision. While the Government fully respects the independence of the Judicial Council, it is essential that any proposed changes are underpinned by robust evidence. We must understand the broader implications for the insurance ecosystem, including costs for policyholders and the sustainability of the market. The introduction of the 2021 guidelines was a landmark moment in the reform agenda.”
“We also heard strong support for measures to attract more international insurers into the Irish market, as well as proposals to modernise regulatory processes to support innovation, talent development and the growth of insurtech. My officials are now carefully analysing the consultation feedback and I expect to bring a draft action plan to the Cabinet subcommittee on insurance reform in July. Our aim is to publish the final plan by the summer. This action plan will guide the direction of insurance reform for the coming years, building on progress to date but also addressing the ongoing frustrations that consumers and businesses still experience. An action plan is important because it is measured and we will be held accountable for the actions we have in that plan.”
“The submissions were grouped into key themes, namely, transparency and affordability; competitiveness and availability; fraud; innovation and skills; and the climate protection gap. The feedback was both insightful and constructive. Stakeholders called for continued reform of the Injuries Resolution Board, which I am in favour of, stronger enforcement and oversight and a more formalised role in the review of personal injuries guidelines. Many highlighted the disproportionate legal costs in litigated cases and the need to streamline those costs, particularly in lower value claims. There were calls for greater transparency in how premiums are calculated and for efforts to boost financial literacy around insurance products.”
“In committing to a new action plan for insurance reform, the Government will build on the work already done and ensure that improvements in affordability, transparency, access and competition continue in this next phase of insurance reform. That is why, earlier this year, I launched a public consultation on the next action plan for insurance reform. I was determined that we would do this very early in the new Government term. This consultation was short, concise and closed in May. It received 73 submissions from a wide range of stakeholders, including public bodies, industry representatives, small businesses, voluntary groups and some political parties. Today's debate will also feed into that public consultation.”
“Premiums in some areas remain high and while the trend in motor insurance premiums has, overall, been downward, with prices still 34.4% lower than their peak in 2016, there have been recent increases that are of understandable concern to the public. It is important to acknowledge that the recent price pressures are not unique to Ireland. They reflect wider global inflationary factors, including higher repair costs due to advanced vehicle technology, ongoing supply chain issues and labour shortages. These cost drivers are real. However, that does not mean we can be complacent. We need to remain focused on tackling domestic cost drivers and ensuring consumers receive the full benefit of the reforms we have implemented.”
“Since the introduction of the reforms we have seen new entrants into the Irish motor insurance market such as OUTsurance, Revolut and Fastnet. At the same time, established insurers have expanded their offerings into previously under-served areas like hospitality, SMEs, sports and leisure. That is a strong vote of confidence in the reforms we have delivered and in the potential of the Irish market, which is functioning fairly. However, we all recognise that we are not yet where we want to be and more needs to be done. Despite the progress made, too many consumers and small businesses are still not feeling the full benefits of these reforms in their pockets.”
“Among the most significant reforms we implemented were the rebalancing of the duty of care, helping to bring greater fairness and certainty to liability claims; the major overhaul of the Injuries Resolution Board to speed up settlements and lower legal costs, and I am particularly proud of the role I played in that when I previously served as Minister of State in the Department of enterprise; and the introduction of the personal injuries guidelines, which have brought consistency and predictability to awards, as mentioned by a number of speakers. We delivered structural change to the personal injury claims process, making it more efficient, more cost effective and, above all, more predictable for those seeking redress. These changes have also improved the attractiveness of our market.”
“We are determined to take the necessary steps to reduce the burden of insurance costs on households, motorists, businesses and community organisations throughout the country. When we launched the action plan for insurance reform in 2020 we knew we were setting ourselves an ambitious agenda. That plan set out a comprehensive series of actions designed to tackle the structural problems in the insurance market, reduce costs, increase transparency and improve access.”