The continued high costs of motor Insurance is unacceptable and requires urgent Government action, according to Local Fianna Fail TD, Frank O Rourke.
‘The most recent figures on motor insurance, show premiums have raised by almost 40% in the last year. This is unacceptable and all efforts must be made by relevant state authorities, the Government and Dail Eireann to reverse these trends.’
‘In recent months, I have campaigned in Dail Eireann and on the Finance Committee to have the unacceptable high level of car insurance addressed. As I said in the Dail, it is not unusual for young people in their early 20s to be asked to pay anything between €6,000 and €12,000 a year for their car insurance. Modest reduction in the USC charge, while welcome, is meaningless if the cost of motor insurance soars like it has in recent years.’
‘I have suggested a range of measures, including opening up the Car Insurance market to the EU, re-establishing the Motor Insurance Advisory Board (MIAB), which was successful in the past, and requesting that all state agencies, including the CCPC, consider any actions available to them to reduce motor insurance.’
‘The current level of premium is not an option for motorists and many young people, many of whom require cars for their educational, work or family purposes.’
‘The increases in motor insurance for some people is more that their annual Universal Social Charge (USC). We have to reduce motor insurance premiums, and I will continue to raise this matter until progress is made,’ concluded Deputy O’Rourke.