Insurance Reforms – Brokers Ireland Urges Government To Accelerate Injuries Resolution Board Reform

Press Release

Thursday 24th July 2025      

Brokers Ireland has welcomed the publication of the Government’s Action Plan for Insurance Reform 2025–2029, describing it as a meaningful opportunity to build a more affordable, transparent, and competitive insurance market in Ireland.

In particular, the representative body for Insurance and Financial Brokers strongly supports the commitment to strengthening the Injuries Resolution Board (IRB) and urges Government to accelerate legislative reforms to enhance its remit.

Hazel Rock, Head of Insurance Services at Brokers Ireland, said that empowering the IRB to resolve a greater share of personal injury cases outside the court system is key to reducing excessive legal costs, improving efficiency, and restoring trust in the claims process.

“The IRB has a critical role to play in lowering the cost of insurance and improving the speed and fairness of outcomes,” said Ms Rock.

“Making its awards binding in more cases and encouraging default mediation would represent a step change in how injury claims are managed in Ireland.”

Brokers Ireland noted that many of the themes and actions in the Government’s plan echo its own reform recommendations submitted earlier this year. These include addressing affordability gaps in sectors such as childcare, community organisations, and non-standard property, and supporting the entry of digital-first and international providers to widen market competition.

“Market access remains a real issue for clients in several sectors,” Ms Rock said.  “We welcome the Government’s continued focus on competition and urge the expansion of supports for new entrants, including improved digital infrastructure and onboarding processes.”

The representative body also reiterated the need for regulatory simplification, system interoperability, and a review of duplicative compliance burdens that continue to drive up costs for intermediaries and ultimately for consumers.

In the context of rising climate-related risks, Brokers Ireland welcomed the plan’s recognition of the growing climate protection gap and called for further development of parametric insurance, public-private reinsurance models, and premium incentives for mitigation measures.

“The insurance market must be equipped to deal with 21st-century risks. Innovation in both product design and risk assessment is essential to ensure long-term affordability and availability of cover,” said Ms Rock.

As the Government commits to legislative timelines on personal injury reforms, legal fee guidelines, and enhanced data transparency, Brokers Ireland emphasised its ongoing readiness to support implementation.

“Brokers across Ireland see the day-to-day impact of both progress and ongoing pain points in the insurance market,” said Ms Rock. “We look forward to working constructively with Government, regulators, and industry partners to ensure this Action Plan delivers real, lasting benefits for consumers, businesses, and communities alike.”

Ends

Further information:         Hazel Rock, Head of Insurance Brokers Ireland   Tel. 086-8834516

Mairéad Foley, Foley Ryan Communications                                                    Tel. 086-2556764