Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that. I raised the rip-off cost of mart insurance on Topical Issues 18 months ago. At the time, the Minister of State, Deputy D'Arcy, referred the matter to the insurance industry, which is what he always does. The insurance industry told him there was no issue, but there is an issue. A mart in County Laois which had been in operation for 51 years has had to close its doors because mart insurance premiums increased for the fourth year in a row. Serious concerns are being raised about the sustainability of marts across the country. The Taoiseach has to acknowledge that the Government's plan is not working. I am asking for serious measures and actions to be taken by the Minister of State. He needs to meet mart managers and operators to listen to their concerns and to the proposals they are making. I am asking the Taoiseach to ensure this happens.

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