Local businesses and jobs will suffer if insurance premiums rise – Nelson Murray

Proposed increases to insurance premiums must be put on hold so motorists, businesses and sports clubs are not put under pressure, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator Linda Nelson Murray has raised concerns about a recommendation from the Judicial Council that personal injury awards should be increased by almost 17 per cent in the coming weeks.

“We don’t want to see insurance for our cars, businesses and football clubs rise again. The last increase to awards was introduced in 2022, just three years ago and Ireland’s insurance costs are still higher than many other European Countries.

“There are so many groups and businesses that still either cannot get insurance or cannot get insurance at a fair price. We need to see increased availability and affordability in insurance premiums.

“I personally know the stress of trying to get insurance for a business, I’m one of the hundreds of business owners that struggled with this. I don’t want to see other business owners put under the same pressure.

“We can’t see our local running club, cafés, creche, play centre, or festival suffer because of increased insurance premiums.

“I welcome that the government has launched the public consultation phase to support the Action Plan on Insurance Reform and I encourage all business owners to have their say on how we can better support them through insurance reform.

“I urge the Minister for Justice to protect our local businesses and pause or stop the increase in personal injury awards”, concluded Senator Nelson Murray.