Hildegarde Naughton (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join colleagues in expressing my condolences to the family and friends of the late Christy O'Connor Jnr. He was a highly regarded sportsman and ambassador not only for Galway but also for Ireland.

I welcome the intervention of the Taoiseach with the insurance industry following the floods across the country. This is a huge issue in the case of houses prone to flooding. In the run-up to Christmas I spent many days in the Claregalway area, where a number of houses were flooded in 2009. There is a big question, in particular, in those areas where works have taken place. There needs to be an assurance that insurance cover will be available for homes and to families once works have taken place to deal with flooding issues. I welcome the Leader's indication that there will be a debate on the issue in the House next week as it is serious. We need to start dealing with it now, as well as planning for the future.