Mr. Kevin Thompson:

It is impossible for me to comment on the underwriting criteria of Insurance Ireland members. That is a matter for individual members. Each of them will have a different underwriting criteria in terms of how they approach any risk. The underwriting approach of each insurer will determine whether it takes on a risk in the first instance or takes on a risk with terms or excesses appropriate to it. Generally, the criteria used is the claims history of the house, the location of the property and whether it is in an area that is a defended or undefended and the claims history in that area, particularly in relation to flooding. Numerous criteria are used. Each underwriter will have its own underwriting criteria to which it works within its risk appetite.