KildareNet News

“The new report on the costs of motor insurance confirms what many of us have felt about car insurance costs. It is a welcome development which must be acted upon”, Councillor Paul Kelly has said.

“The report is an important piece of work. It represents the first comprehensive study on the costs of car insurance. Like many people who drive, especially young drivers, I have been concerned about the ridiculously high cost of motor insurance for some time.

“Young people in particular have been the scapegoats when it comes to car insurance, with the majority of insurance quotes actually costing more than the car they drive. It is alarming that the cost of car insurance in Ireland is 50% dearer than the next most expensive European country”, he said.

“It is now critical that the report is acted upon. Minister Noel Treacy has set a strict deadline of three months to progress the recommendations made in the report which is a welcome move.

“An unfortunate reality in Kildare recently has been the number of people, in many cases young people, killed on the roads. We have to accept that excessive speed on the roads is one of the main causes of accidents. The new penalty points system will go some way to addressing this and maybe we need to explore what more can be done in this regard”, he said.

“This report pulls no punches when it comes to the vested interests involved. There is a clear onus on insurance companies and the legal profession to take notice. The report’s findings include evidence that the Irish motor insurance industry made nine times the profits of their counterparts in the UK. The fact that the Irish market is far smaller in size than the UK makes this even more unacceptable.

“This report is not going to bring about a reduction in insurance premiums overnight. What it will do however is put the issue firmly in the spotlight. There is a clear commitment on the part of the next Government to implement the findings of this report and I am fully intent in playing my part in this process”, concluded Councillor Kelly.

18th April 2002