|
The
two fingers is all Fianna Fáil could offer young drivers
when they sent no spokesperson to the MIJAG Public Meeting with
Politicians which took place last Monday May 17th in the Red Cow
Inn, Dublin. All Political Parties with the exception of Fianna
Fáil and Sinn Féin sent representatives.
The
meeting was a lively affair non-the less with young and older drivers
voicing their anger at the extremely high cost of motor insurance.
The crowd left the politicians in no doubt that the cost of motor
insurance is still at an unacceptable level and needs to be tackled
now.
Among
the issues discussed were:
- high cost of young drivers car insurance,
- unacceptable profits being made my motor insurance companies (€500m
profits last year up from €30m in 1997)
- discrimination by one insurance company on the race/nationality
ground,
- the inaction of the Equality Authority in dealing with cases of
discrimination,
- rising cost of commercial vehicle insurance
There
were also a large number of motorcyclists in attendance highlighting
the growing problems high insurance costs and lack of competition
is having in the motorcycle sector.
Fianna
Fáil No Show
Relevant spokespersons from all the major political parties received
both written invitations and e-mails one month before the meeting.
Fianna Fáil's Michael Ahern, Minister of State for Enterprise
Trade and Employment was invited but did not respond to the invitation.
When his office was contacted by MIJAG, we were told he was "out
of the country" and no one else was available to attend in
his place. Despite numerous calls to the Fianna Fáil press
office we were unable to secure a speaker to attend the meeting.
Among
those in attendance were Counsellor Dermot Lacey (Labour), Eamon
Ryan TD (Green Party). Senator Sheila Tracy (Fine Gael - representing
Phil Hogan TD) and Jeff Ahern (Progressive Democrats). Joe Higgins
from the Socialist Party was unable to attend but sent a written
statement which was read out at the meeting. Arthur Morgan from
Sinn Féin did not respond to the invitation and despite MIJAG
contacting the Sinn Féin office several times they did not
organise for anyone to attend on his behalf.
|
