'Paying through the nose for insurance'

Aontú Senator Sarah O'Reilly says that people living in Cavan and Monaghan are “already paying through the nose for insurance” while also driving on “some of the worst” roads in the country.

Others she adds are “little more than a patchwork of potholes”.

The Bailieborough native was speaking in the Seanad last week where she raised the proposal currently being considered by Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan, from the Judicial Council, which suggests increasing personal injury awards by almost 17%.

“We are in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis. Inflation impacts families, businesses and communities across the country and now the Government thinks it is the right time to raise personal injury awards, a move that will inevitably lead to higher insurance premiums and, no doubt, higher claims,” said Sen O'Reilly.

“We already know from the Central Bank's own data that motor insurance premiums rose by nine per cent in the first half of 2024 alone, and that is before any changes to injury awards.”

She highlighted that payouts for personal injuries in Ireland are on average 4.4 times higher than in England. “If you experience a minor ankle fracture in Ireland, you could expect to receive up to €54,000; while in England, the same injury warrants up to €14,000. The payout for personal injuries in this country is high enough without raising it further,” contended Sen O'Reilly.

She further warned that the impact of higher awards would be “felt most” by motorists and small businesses.

Asking the minister to attend the upper house to debate the matter, Sen O'Reilly concluded by saying that an increase in injury payouts also stands to directly impact community, voluntary and sporting groups, many of which are “already struggling to keep the doors open”.

“The Government cannot allow this to go ahead without full and considered debate. I ask the Minister for Justice to come to the House for a debate on the matter,” she said.