Consumer group criticises brokers

The Consumers' Association of Ireland has strongly condemned opposition from the Professional Insurance Brokers' Association to proposals for the mandatory disclosure of commission. "The PIBA position has much more to do with protecting a vested interest group, most of whose earnings are on the basis of concealed commission, rather than concern about providing authentic independent advice to consumers," a spokesman said. On Friday, PIBA said proposed legislation on disclosure of charges and commissions regarding pension and insurance products would drive small brokers out of the market place. "At a time when concealed commission has no ceiling, and when some life offices are procuring broker business through overseas golf junkets, PIBA's timing is extraordinarily poor," the spokesman said.