Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent) | Oireachtas source

At the start it was slow, but we had a number of meetings with insurance companies over the past 12 months. Where we have put in the defences, insurance companies are now coming on board to insure the place. As the Deputy can imagine, each insurance company operates different policies. We are happy to say that it is starting to crank up and they are getting insurance. I see that across the country. Even in my town, Athlone, where people could not get insurance and where no flood defences have started yet, they are getting insurance. I accept it is costly in some cases, but where we are building the defences, insurance premiums are coming down and people are getting insurance.

On the last occasion the Chairman asked about insurance companies using the flood risk maps. I have checked it out. In no way are they using the maps. They have their own maps regarding insurance setting out the parameters of where there is a flood risk and where there is not. If the Deputy or the Chairman is aware of individual cases, I invite him to bring them to my attention and I will take them up with the insurance companies the next time I meet them.