Ireland’s finance minister says regulator must be left to act

Ireland's finance minister Brian Lenihan has rejected as "unthinkable" demands from politicians that he reverse a decision by the Financial Regulator to put Quinn Insurance into administration, the FT reports.

Lenihan told Irish radio it was "one of the lessons of the banking crisis" that he could not put pressure on the regulator.

"We really need to learn the lessons of the banking crisis. The perception that the regulator can be subject to political interference or influence will be very bad for this country."

Regulator's job

"His job is to ensure that this insurance company is properly capitalised. That's his concern. He has a wider concern about our insurance sector - that it's seen to be properly run and well run and run in accordance with best international practice. That's his job.

“He's had to go to court to vindicate that position and that's his absolute entitlement. Our job as politicians is to deal with the consequences of that."

The 2025 Insurance Times Awards took place on the evening of Wednesday 3rd December in the iconic Great Room of London’s Grosvenor House.

Hosted by comedian and actor Tom Allen, 34 Gold, 23 Silver and 22 Bronze awards were handed out across an amazing 34 categories recognising brilliance and innovation right across the breadth of UK general insurance.
Many congratulations to all the worthy winners and as always, huge thanks to our sponsors for their support and our judges for their expertise.

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