John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Humphreys. His point is very well made.

He wants action and results. The catchment flood risk assessment and management plan is well under way. I will provide some background information. Studies carried out under the programme will provide the most comprehensive survey of the flood risk associated with Ireland's waterways. In total, more than 3,500 km of major water courses are being subjected to these detailed surveys. A scale of measurement will allow for the development of sophisticated hydraulic models.

Regarding the issue of whether the Government will consider alternative ways of addressing the problem such as a State indemnification scheme or an insurance pool type of solution, a State indemnification scheme for those unable to obtain flood insurance has been considered before. While it is difficult to quantify the cost in any particular year over a period of time, it is possible to say that the cost would be significant on the basis that there have been eight major flood events costing the insurance industry approximately €700 million in flood claims from 2000 to 2012. These costs would be in addition to the normal infrastructural costs arising from flooding such as repair of roads and bridges.

If a scheme of this type were established, there exists a very real possibility that the industry would have a strong incentive to discontinue the provision of flood cover in medium to high-risk areas thus increasing the potential cost of the scheme over time. Therefore, such an arrangement has the potential to undermine the nature of existing private insurance, making it difficult to withdraw even if it were introduced on a short-term basis.

In respect of the point made by Deputy Humphreys, I will speak to the Minister of State. Perhaps there could be a round table discussion in the committee rooms with the Minister of State. Deputy Humphreys has ten years of experience on this and has a deep knowledge of what he is talking about. It is unreal that if people live at the top of a hill, they cannot get insurance. People want action. The OPW does outstanding work but what Deputy Humphreys wants is collective action on behalf of the insurance companies to deal decisively with this problem. I have no doubt the Minister of State will take note of the concerns raised by the Deputy and I ask him to arrange a meeting with the Minister of State to see about convening a round table discussion with the insurance industry in Leinster House.

See this speech in context