Vol. 568 No. 2
128 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the major concerns of the Community Games national executive in relation to the spiralling costs of insurance affecting the committee; the plans she has to address the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16157/03]
129 Mr. Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the major concerns of all sporting organisations in regard to the major increases in public liability insurance; if her attention has further been drawn to the effect it is having on the financial position of the associations; if her attention has further been drawn to the loss such funding is having on developing the sporting activities of such organisations; and her plans to address the problem. [16162/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 129 together.
I am very much aware of the high cost of insurance and I am concerned about the difficulties this is causing sporting organisations throughout the country. The insurance reform programme that I announced on 25 October last comprises a comprehensive set of inter-related measures designed to improve the functioning of the Irish insurance market. I chair a Ministerial committee established to drive the co-ordinated implementation of the reform programme across the relevant departments. Substantial progress is being made on a range of measures that will radically overhaul the functioning of the insurance market.
The Interim Personal Injuries Assessment Board is up and running and legislation is being prepared to establish the PIAB on a statutory basis. The Government has recently approved the drafting of the general scheme of the Bill to place the PIAB on a statutory footing. It is hoped to enact the legislation by year-end.
The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is preparing a Bill to reform the law on personal injuries which will include measures to deal with spurious and/or exaggerated claims, the issue of costs arising from unsuccessful claims and double compensation. My Department and the Competition Authority are undertaking a joint study into the insurance market. The study will identify and analyse barriers to entry and limitations on competition in the insurance marketplace. It is envisaged that the bulk of the work will be completed this year and that a report will be produced in the early part of 2004.
EU law prevents governments from intervening in the pricing or underwriting of insurance. However, Governments are free to take appropriate action to improve the functioning of the insurance market. I am determined that significant cost reductions will be achieved through implementation of the programme.
