Mr. Jer Buckley:

I believe this Bill will work. When legislation was introduced to ban smoking, people said it would never work. It has worked. The bottom line is that we will be the first country in Europe with a Bill such as this, but why should Ireland always follow other countries. Why do we not take the lead? We are good leaders. We are a small dynamic country and we can lead. We do not always have to copy what is outside. We can adapt the Bill if needs be. This is a solid Bill coming from a Deputy with vision and knowledge and who understands flooded communities. I see no reason it cannot do what it sets out to do. I do not think insurance companies should be afraid of it. In effect, insurance companies are reducing the size of the insurance cake by refusing to collect premia. This Bill is only looking at areas where there has been substantial investment in flood defences. It is not asking insurance companies to take on an uninsurable risk.