Jan 23, 2020
Alliance welcomes analysis of general damages
Warns that minor reductions will only compound the current crisis
The Alliance for Insurance Reform has welcomed the publication by ISME of a ‘Fair Book of Quantum‘ which explores what general damages might look like following the review currently being carried out by the Personal Injuries Guidelines Committee (PIGC) of the Judicial Council.
Peter Boland, Director of the Alliance said “We welcome this publication by ISME as a way of prompting reasoned debate on this critical issue. Insurance premiums in Ireland are too high. They are costing jobs, closing SMEs, damaging charities, sport and cultural organisations and community groups; they are shrinking Irish society.
“According to the Central Bank, the cost of claims accounted for 75% of motor insurance premiums over the last 10 years. So clearly any initiative to reduce insurance premiums must address the cost of claims among other things. The primary element of claims is compensation payments and according to the landmark reports of the Personal Injuries Commission, these are 4.4 times higher than in England and Wales for the minor soft-tissue injuries that account for over 80% of personal injury claims in Ireland.
“As it stands, not only do general damages for minor injuries act as a punishment for defendants in negligence cases but they reward being injured. As they currently stand, they bring the entire system of compensation for negligence cases into disrepute and need to be re-balanced in a way that is fair, just, reasonable and proportionate as outlined by Court of Appeal judgements and the principles established by the higher courts in recent years.
“We have a serious concern that the current review process will merely implement small-scale reductions and give the impression that the issue has been addressed whereas nothing short of a very substantial reductions in the rewards for minor injuries is necessary in order to address this issue.
“Finally, it should be noted that the Alliance’s issue is with general damages for minor injuries. We have no issue whatsoever with special damages that compensate for loss of earnings or medical costs. The specific reform we have asked political parties to endorse in the general election campaign is:
- Reduce unfair general damages to reflect international norms and the principles already established by the higher courts – including that ‘minor injuries attract modest damages’
The other three reforms we urgently need are:
- Review and re-balance the ‘common duty of care’ to require occupiers to take a duty of care that is reasonable, practical and proportionate
- Support a fully-resourced Garda Insurance Fraud Unit
- Insist on insurers committing to a schedule of forecast reductions for planned reforms”
ENDS
CONTACT: contact@insurancereform.ie
Jan 20, 2020
The Federation of Irish Sport welcomes today’s announcement by Sport Ireland of €36 million in core 2020 funding allocations . This is a significant commitment to ensuring the continued work of NGBs, LSPs and High Performance Departments.
The funding which sees a €1m increase for core operations in NGBs and €9.4m in high performance is particularly important in what is of course an Olympic and Paralympic year. It is to be welcomed given that 45 athletes have already qualified for Tokyo2020. The further €8.3m announced to support the work of the 29 Local Sports Partnerships will be key as we strive to create a more active and healthy Ireland.
The Federation are pleased that the work of sport and physical activity in Ireland continues to be recognised by government through the funding provided by Sport Ireland. In 2019, the Federation continued to dedicate its own work to advocating on behalf of our members and highlighting the many benefits sport and physical activity bring to Irish society – from health to economic and social inclusion. As a positive voice for Irish sport we strive to showcase the work of our members to government and wider society in a bid to encourage continued funding to benefit all.
The National Sports Policy, launched in 2018, provides a strong direction for the growth of sport and physical activity and the Federation, through its presence on the Sport Leadership Group, looks forward to continuing to advocate for the proper resourcing of the policy to ensure the actions are successfully achieved. Today’s announcement is a further positive step for all those involved and committed to the successful enactment of the National Sports Policy and the growth of sport and physical activity.
#SportMatters
Jan 17, 2020
Rowing Ireland is now offering companies the unique opportunity to use the National Rowing Centre for meetings and events.
The National Rowing Centre is home to Irish Rowing and hosts national and international competitions. The centre serves as the centre of excellence for the Irish rowing’s high-performance programme from the junior ranks right through to the senior stars.
Services Available:
• Board Room – 15 People or 40 People Theatre Style
• Function Room – 100 people
• Motivational Talks – High-Performance Coaches & Athletes
• Full Catering Service Available
• On the Water Sessions with qualified coaches
This opportunity allows your event to be held in a High-Performance environment of one of Ireland’s most successful Olympic sports.
This will be an unforgettable experience for your team as we countdown to the 2020 Olympics, and your team will feel part of Rowing Ireland’s success this year.
For more information on how to book the National Rowing Centre for your event, please contact, sales@rowingireland.ie or phone 01 658 3021.
Jan 16, 2020
Alliance asks political parties where they stand on insurance reform
The Alliance for Insurance Reform has sent a letter to every political party asking them where they stand on insurance reform in advance of General Election 2020. The text is as follows:
“In advance of the General Election, the Alliance for Insurance Reform wishes to update its members and the public regarding your party’s support for the four key reforms we are seeking, namely:
- Reduce unfair general damages to reflect international norms and the principles already established by the higher courts – including that ‘minor injuries attract modest damages’
- Review and re-balance the “common duty of care” to require occupiers to take a duty of care that is reasonable, practical and proportionate
- Support a fully-resourced Garda Insurance Fraud Unit
- Insist on insurers committing to a schedule of forecast reductions for planned reforms
Can you please confirm whether you support each of these reforms and whether they will be included in your party’s manifesto for General Election 2020?
We will be publishing your response and that of the other parties in order to update our members and the public.”
Peter Boland, Director of the Alliance said “Today we learn that nursing homes are threatened by the withdrawal of one of their insurers from the market. Recently it was childcare providers. From community centres to concrete manufacturers, from playgrounds to nightclubs and restaurants to sports clubs, every aspect of Irish society and commerce is threatened by the current crisis. As we wait for replies to our letter to the political parties we have a message for them – we do not have time to wait for real reforms because this is more than an electoral issue, it is a societal issue.”
NOTE:
The Alliance brings together 35 civic and business organisations from across Ireland, representing over 37,000 members, 665,000 employees, 493,000 volunteers and 374,000 students in highlighting the negative impact of persistently high premiums and calling for real reforms that will quickly reduce liability and motor insurance premiums to affordable levels and keep them that way. Our members include:
- AOIFE Ireland (Association of Irish Festival Events)
- Car Rental Council of Ireland
- Childminding Ireland
- Coach Tourism & Transport Council of Ireland
- Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association
- Cork Business Association
- Federation of Irish Sport
- Galway Chamber
- Galway City Business Association
- Galway County Public Participation Network (PPN)
- Ireland Active
- Ireland’s Association for Adventure Tourism
- Irish Caravan and Camping Council
- Irish Concrete Federation
- Irish Hotels Federation
- Irish Road Haulage Association
- Irish Showman’s Guild
- Irish Street Arts, Circus and Spectacle Network
- Irish Travel Agents Association
- ISME
- Licensed Vintners Association
- Motorsport Ireland
- Nursing Homes Ireland
- Play Activity and Leisure Ireland
- Quick Service Food Alliance
- Restaurants Association of Ireland
- Retail Excellence
- RGDATA
- Sligo PPN
- Society of the Irish Motor Industry
- South Dublin County PPN
- Sport Ireland
- Union of Students in Ireland
- Vintners Federation of Ireland
- The Wheel (Ireland’s national association for community, voluntary and charitable organisations)
The Federation of Irish Sport as members of the Alliance for Insurance Reform are supporting the work on the insurance agenda. Federation CEO Mary O’Connor met with the Alliance in advance of General Election 2020 to discuss the issues most pertinent to our members.
The Alliance have issued the below letter to political parties as part of their GE2020 work.
Dear
In advance of the General Election, the Alliance for Insurance Reform wishes to update its members and the public regarding your party’s support for the four key reforms we are seeking, namely:
- Reduce unfair general damages to reflect international norms and the principles already established by the higher courts – including that ‘minor injuries attract modest damages’
- Review and re-balance the “common duty of care” to require occupiers to take a duty of care that is reasonable, practical and proportionate
- Support a fully-resourced Garda Insurance Fraud Unit
- Insist on insurers committing to a schedule of forecast reductions for planned reforms
Can you please confirm whether you support each of these reforms and whether they will be included in your party’s manifesto for General Election 2020?
We will be publishing your response and that of the other parties in order to update our members and the public.
Yours sincerely,
Peter Boland
Director
Alliance for Insurance Reform
Jan 10, 2020
STATEMENT FROM MARY O’CONNOR CEO FEDERATION OF IRISH SPORT
“The Federation welcomes the announcement of the €77m allocated to major sports projects across the country under the large scale sports capital infrastructure fund (LSSIF) which was announced today, 10th of January.
Development of facilities for sport and physical activity is a key action of the National Sports Policy and the investment announced today represents another major step in the implementation of the Policy.
It is key that the continued investment in current expenditure for people and programmes also continues at the current rate to ensure Sport can fully realize the potential of the capital projects being announced today”.
For further details on the projects receiving funding go to https://www.gov.ie/en/news/bc07b0-over-77m-allocated-to-major-sports-projects-across-the-country/
Mary O’Connor, CEO Federation of Irish Sport
Dec 10, 2019
- Cycling Ireland, Confederation of Irish Golf, Irish Flying Disc Association, Rowing Ireland and Volleyball Ireland awarded live streaming opportunities for 2020
- Visibility is key to growing interest and participation for women in sport.
Today, the Federation of Irish Sport announced the recipients of the ‘Showcase your sportswomen live’ fund which is supported by Sport Ireland and delivered by Pundit Arena. Recipients will be awarded the services of Pundit Arena to live stream a sporting event where there is female participation. The fund is operated with thanks to Women in Sport funding provided by Sport Ireland for 2020.
The streaming package will see 5 sporting events brought to life across Pundit Arena and the NGBs platforms including elements of social media promotion and support, key interviews and the event streaming itself. The events covered in 2020 will include Track Cycling International, Ultimate Frisbee test match v Great Britain, Level Par Golf Conference, Splash ‘n’ Dash @ Grand Canal Doc and Volleyball National League Finals.
Speaking about the recipients, Federation CEO Mary O’Connor said “We are delighted to announce the worthy recipients today. The volume and quality of applications was exceptionally high and we are excited to be able to bring such fantastic and innovative events to life in 2020. It is vital that women in sport are given the opportunity to be as visible as possible and that such events are shared with as wide an audience as possible to help grow participation across all sports.”
Women in Sport Lead for Sport Ireland, Nora Stapleton speaking at the announcement said, “Sport Ireland is delighted to provide investment to the Federation of Irish Sport through the Women in Sport programme. Visibility is one of the key target areas of the Women in Sport Policy and thus supporting initiatives such as this means that visibility and profile of our female role models in sport is increasing.”
The Federation and Pundit Arena look forward to working with the successful NGBs throughout 2020 to bring their events to life and showcase the talent, skill and entertainment on offer in their respective sports. Further details on the times and dates of streaming activities will be available early in the new year.
The fund is the latest piece of work by the Federation, who are also involved in the 20×20 campaign, to help increase the visibility of women in sport.
For further information contact sinead.conroy@irishsport.ie
ENDS
