The chief executive of the Irish Brokers' Association has criticised what he called the simplistic proposal by the insurance industry to withdraw cover from drink drivers.

Mr Paul Carty said the issue needed a lot more thought and public debate and warned against the industry behaving in a "quasi-judicial manner".

A special motor insurance committee of the Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) is in the final stages of discussions on proposals to withdraw cover from drivers who are involved in accidents while above the legal limit for alcohol or under the influence of drugs.

An IIF spokesman said the discussions have been going on for 12 months.

He said the initiative, which is expected to be taken by the industry from the beginning of 2002, was born out of frustration that the Government was not doing enough to promote road safety.

Mr Carty of the IBA said his organisation, which represents some 600 brokers, had not been involved in any discussions on the issue with the IIF.

He asked whether such a concerted insurance industry move would not be a little rash and inappropriate, and exclusive of other common types of dangerous driving.

"Why not speeding? Why not driving around a roundabout with a cocker spaniel on your lap or speaking on a mobile phone?" he queried.

"What about the younger person driving their parent's car - would the parent be pursued for third party costs?"

Mr Carty expressed concern that the introduction of such a clause in standard motor policies might not be fair and even-handed.

"We're moving to a penalty points system which is based on a concept of proportionality. We have to be very careful to debate any industry changes in a mature way."

Mr Carty said he wanted to stress that he was not defending drink driving.

He pointed out that the objective of the initiative was laudable - but that the methodology was worrying.