Local Fianna Fail TD, Frank O’Rourke, has welcomed the decision by Kildare County Council to put forward a new site, located close to the town centre, for the Park & Ride Facility in Kilcock.

“Over the last year, I have worked with all stakeholders including Kilcock businesses, Bus Eireann, McGarrell Reilly and the Council, to have a Park & Ride Facility provided for Kilcock for bus commuters.”

“The new site, which is adjacent to Lidl on the Maynooth road, will also be available for rail commuters, and will ensure that the town centre is not cluttered with extra traffic, but close enough to the centre to ensure that footfall is enhanced for businesses in Kilcock.”

“We have encountered a number of obstacles in securing a suitable site along the way, but I am confident that this decision is a major step forward, and I know that all parties will now work to ensure that we complete the public consultation process and get to construction as soon as possible so the Park & Ride Facility is in place for the benefit of Kilcock. I want to thank all those that worked so positively with me on this important project for Kilcock”

“We continue to make progress on improving the public transport services for Kilcock commuters, with extra services for Route 115 and a fairer rail fare structure for Kilcock which is now included in the short hop zone,” concluded Deputy O’Rourke.

Fianna Fail TD, Frank O’Rourke, has stated that information received from a reply to a recent Parliamentary Question flatly contradicts Insurance Industry claims that the cost of claims are responsible for rising insurance premiums.

“According to a reply to a recent Parliamentary Question that I received, gross written premiums received by the Insurance Industry exceed claims paid across the industry by a higher amount in 2015, than during any other recent year. This is despite the fact that insurance premiums have rose during that period.”

“In 2011, gross claims paid by insurance companies were approximately €1.6bn while gross premiums paid to insurance companies were €1.1bn. In 2015, gross claims paid by insurance companies were approximate €1.1bn while gross premiums paid to insurance companies were approximately €1.4bn. “

“Over the past three years, motor insurance premiums have risen by over 50% and the Government has failed to take decisive action to stem these rises that are placing families in severe financial difficulty. The rising cost of insurance is raised with me on a regular basis at my weekly clinics” stated Deputy O’Rourke.

“Over the last year, I have continued to raise the importance of reducing motor insurance costs. I suggested at an Oireachtas Committee that the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) investigate the high level of motor insurance; this is now happening. I have also proposed that low income earners get financial support with the cost of their motor insurance while the Government implements the action plan to reduce the cost of insurance.”

“As I have said in the Dail, there is little point in reducing the Universal Social Charge, if a multiple of the reduction in USC, is being taken back by increased Insurance costs. The Government needs to accelerate implementation of the recommendations of the Cost of Insurance Working Group, as it is now clear the industry’s claims in relation to the rising cost of insurance do not stand up to scrutiny. The new Minister responsible for the implementation, Minister D’Arcy, needs to make this his main priority” concluded Deputy O’Rourke.

Local Fianna Fail TD Frank O’Rourke, welcomed reports that the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), together with the European Competition Directorate, have raided the offices of insurance companies, brokers and representative bodies for the industry, as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged cartel activity in the motor insurance industry. Deputy O’Rourke first suggested a role for the CCPC at the Finance Oireachtas Committee which considered the high cost of motor insurance.

“Motor Insurance costs have risen by over 60% in the last three years, and I have seen examples of even greater increases. The Government has failed to deal with the motor insurance crisis. The Government has said that it is committed to implementing the action plan to deal with the high cost of car insurance, however, progress is too slow and it does not seem to be a priority for the Government.”

“This lack of progress was captured when the Government recently published its report on the implementation of the action plan. This showed that very little progress has been made.”

“As I have said in the Dail, there is little point in reducing or talking about reducing the Universal Social Charge, if a multiple of the reduction in USC, is being taken back by increased insurance costs.”

“The continued investigation by the CCPC is welcome and consumers must be protected from any potential anti-competitive behaviour in the insurance industry. Motorists deserve to know whether coordination across the industry has been a factor in the unprecedented increases.”

“However more Government action is needed, and I will continue, with my colleague Finance Spokesperson, Michael McGrath TD, to press the Government for more action to achieve more reasonable premiums,” concluded Deputy O’Rourke.