E-commerce development continues apace in the life assurance industry. To award those firms and individuals who have done it successfully, Assurelink has started the Broker Innovation Awards, in association with Eircom and Business and Finance magazine.

The overall winner was Phillip O'Reilly & Co from Ennis, whose Internet facility at www.philiporeilly.com, allows users to complete quotation forms online and receive feedback in less than 24 hours. The second place winner was John Geraghty of LA Brokers whose labrokers.ie provides in-depth information on various aspects of insurance and a handy financial calculator.