Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The joint committee will discuss the difficulties in obtaining home insurance for properties in areas that have experienced extreme weather events. I welcome from the Irish Insurance Federation Mr. Kevin Thompson, chief executive officer, and Mr. Michael Horan, non-life insurance manager. I thank the witnesses for their attendance.

By virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, you are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence you are to give this committee. If you are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence in relation to a particular matter and you continue to so do, you are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of your evidence. You are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and you are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, you should not criticise or make charges against any persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. The opening statement and other documents you have submitted to the committee will be published on the committee website this afternoon. Members are reminded of a long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses, or any official by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

The delegation last attended the committee on 25 September 2012. Since then the committee has met several groups in its ongoing consideration of the issues of flooding and its effects across the country. The significant issue of geocoding and insurance cover is causing some distress and discomfort to people. The blanket categorisation of whole areas as being at high risk of flooding has affected people's house insurance premia, as well as their chances of getting cover. The difficulty in getting insurance adds to the psychological burden for those affected by flooding. One can find that a house on a hill near houses which have flooded but which was not affected itself can be categorised as high risk. There is an unfairness in this system and those affected get exercised by it.

There are also home owners who have engaged in remedial works and developed flood defences but these have not improved their insurance premia or even their chances of being able to renew cover. People who may never be affected by flooding are suffering because of claims in other areas. Geocoding seems to be the central culprit in this and I would like to hear the delegation's views on this. I call on Mr. Kevin Thompson.