The Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) today criticised Budget 2003 for not changing the focus of public policy on road safety from a negative cost approach to a more positive investment outlook.
In its pre-budget submission, the IIF proposed that the yield from the non-life insurance premiums, worth €69.1 million in 2001, should be devoted to safety initiatives and the establishment of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB).
Chief executive Mr Michael Kemp said: "In a year of budgetary constraints, IIF is very disappointed that Minister McCreevy had not the foresight to redirect the 2 per cent stamp duty on motor insurance premiums." These were worth about €35 million in 2001.
Mr Kemp said although Mr McCreevy did not make any announcement on the simplification of the pensions regime, the IIF would like to see some progress on this in the Finance Bill.