Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

My remit extends to the OPW and as the Deputy rightly stated, the OPW has completed a programme of substantial works in that area, mitigating the flood risk substantially. Under the new plan, Dublin City Council has applied to the OPW for further funds to carry out additional work which will mitigate the flood risk. It is not within my remit to intervene with insurance companies as to how the insurance premia are set. That is for the Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority but I assume, as I stated in my reply, it would be expected to act in a responsible manner. The IIF was invited to make a submission to the flood review group which it did. In its final report that will go to Government shortly, the flood review group has taken on board many of the IIF suggestions and recommendations. In the light of that and further works, I can see no reason that it should not respond in a favourable manner, but it is outside my remit to force it to do so.

See this speech in context