A Mayo Senator believes the premature scrapping of roadworthy cars must be ended.

Fine Gael Senator Michelle Mulherin says tens of thousands of roadworthy vehicles are being prematurely scrapped every year- many of which have passed the NCT - and she claims this trend is being driven by insurance companies either refusing cover or quoting huge premia for vehicles ten years old or older.

Senator Mulherin says a car is not a luxury but a necessity in rural Ireland, and many younger people get an older vehicle as their first car.

She's questioning why over 77,000 vehicles were scrapped last year, and has asked the Junior Minister with responsibility for insurance Michael D'arcy to come before the Seanad after the Summer recess to answer a number of insurance-related queries.