Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I think the Minister of State is wrong. The leisure industry needs help. I am delighted to see the Minister, Deputy Zappone, in the Chamber. I would like to invite her to Dundalk to visit Air Bound Trampoline Park, which is doing a fantastic job. It is looking after children, including children with disabilities, it is helping to combat obesity and is helping people make their lives healthier and live longer. It is fantastic for getting families together. As I said, I go there with my two grandchildren most Saturday mornings when I am free. Even at my age, I can still enjoy the trampoline park. I would extend to the Minister a warm welcome to Dundalk and to Air Bound.

It is vital that, as a Government, we address this issue. Insurance is becoming a huge issue in Ireland. Air Bound's previous insurer failed to even offer it a quote. Insurance companies' prices are rising for people on a daily basis. It seems highly unfair that they can raise a person's car policy in some cases by as much as 60% and then, on the other hand, refuse to even offer a company a quote. We need to put something in place now before more jobs are lost or companies simply decide to relocate 15 minutes up the road to the North of Ireland, where insurance companies are willing to play ball. Air Bound is doing everything right in regard to health and safety, risk assessment, checking equipment, training staff and improving services all the time.

The injuries board is not fit for purpose. We have a lack of competition. We are trying to push insurance brokers out of the market although they are providing choice and advice, as we can see from Cullen Insurances helping to secure insurance to keep Air Bound open. Insurers are operating directly, which is making it easier for them to turn down claims. Let us call a spade a spade. Insurance companies of leisure businesses in Ireland are paying out higher claims than those in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. This is something we have to look into - claims, claims, claims. Ireland has a name for high claims and it is something we will have to combat.

I want to wish Gayle Maguire at Air Bound Trampoline Park and her staff all the best and thank her for providing a fantastic service for all the young and old in Dundalk and surrounding areas. I again thank Douglas Howell of Cullen Insurances for keeping a good business going and keeping its employees in employment.

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