Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Hurricane Charlie and not the other Charlie. We have been calling for good flood defence works since then and I pay tribute to the OPW and the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, for providing the money last year following our representations.

My concern is with regard to the insurance aspect. I fully understand the OPW has a limited role with regard to insurance, but it is in talks with the Irish Insurance Federation. For the 26 or 27 years after Hurricane Charlie, which was a one in 30 year storm, houses and businesses along the River Dargle had no problem obtaining flood insurance or home insurance. Flood defence works started along the river last year, and it is only in the past year that the insurance companies have stated to people renewing their flood or house insurance that they will not insure homes along the River Dargle. This is ludicrous, because there was no problem obtaining such insurance after the hurricane. During the construction of flood defence works the insurance companies are stating they are not prepared to insure. They state if Bray Town Council or the OPW can come up with an outline of the work being done it might satisfy them. I understand the works being done are to deal with one in 100 year diluvial events or one in 200 year tidal events, which gives us greater protection. One would imagine the insurance companies would state that as this work is being done there will be no problem. I do not have a problem, but my neighbours and people in Little Bray have told me they have been taking out insurance with the same company for years and suddenly they are being told they need to supply this information.

I fully understand the OPW has stated it is looking to draw up plans which can be given to the Irish Insurance Federation once schemes are completed. The work along the River Dargle is in process, and the paperwork has not been done for completed schemes. The people of Bray are desperate to get something from the OPW to describe the works being carried out and what is intended and to state we have not been flooded since Hurricane Charlie. The OPW should tell the Irish Insurance Federation it has a responsibility to provide insurance and just cannot stop doing so. We are very concerned about this. I welcome this opportunity to hear a response.