An Independent TD has compared the behaviour of motor insurance companies to terrorists.

The Dáil is about to pass a motion calling on the Government to intervene over the rising cost of motor insurance.

The minority government is not opposing the Fianna Fáil private members motion, which wants a taskforce to investigate how premiums have increased by hundreds of euro in the past two years.

Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath says the issue has to be tackled.

He said: "This is naked hijacking and if terrorists were doing it, there'd be an outcry, they would have CAB after them.

"But this is maurauding businesses and ordinary people - you can call it nothing else - and they are doing it with the full power of the laws behind them, because there are no laws, only feeble attempts. We have to deal with it, because it is too damaging to our economy."