Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputies Michael McGrath and Moynihan and other Deputies from the Fianna Fáil Party for tabling the motion. I warmly welcome the representatives of 200 businesses who are present in the Public Gallery. It is important to recognise them, many of whom I know. Looking up at the Gallery, I realise that all those present are extremely busy people who improve the lot of their communities by creating wealth and employment. They do not need to be here.

I am grateful that the Fine Gael Party has woken up and agreed not to oppose the motion. While it at least has the common sense not to oppose the motion, someone should apologise for the sorrowful sight of the empty Government benches. This sets a bad example and provides an indication of the seriousness with which the Government treats the issue of business insurance costs. Fair dues to the Fianna Fáil Party for introducing the motion. I compliment it on doing so.

Over the years, I have pointed out that insurance costs are out of control and premiums are putting respectable business people out of business and, worse still, preventing them from expanding their businesses, driving on and creating more employment.

That is what we want, so the Government is letting itself down tonight because its Members would not sit in on the debate and hear what has been said.

I thank people like Mr. Declan Ryan in my own community. I thank Mr. Willie McClure from the South Kerry Advertiser, who has highlighted this matter over a long period and has done some excellent reports on it. I thank all the people for coming here today from around the country. I thank our neighbours from the Cork side but most important are the people coming from County Kerry. I thank them all very much.

The passing of this motion means a certain amount but I was involved with the Rural Independent Group when we passed a very important motion concerned with the protection of our post offices. It was passed and every Member in the House, including those from Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and the Government, supported it. Has that really protected our post office network? No, it has not. I welcome the fact that the motion will pass and it is the most that Fianna Fáil could do tonight. I ask that there be action afterwards and this will not just amount to lip service. I hope this will mean the premiums that business people are paying will be reduced and people will be able to continue expanding their businesses.

Am I sharing time?

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