Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the work that has been done, in particular the efforts of the Minister of State, Deputy D'Arcy, who has grappled with the issue and has tried to make a difference. The Minister said that when these measures come into place in totality, we will see a shift and a change, but when will that be? Businesses are closing and the Spin Activity Centre, in my town of Newbridge, has had to close because of the cost of insurance. Community groups are not able to get the insurance they need to keep their doors open so the time element of this is absolutely crucial. We need to send a very strong message to those businesses and community groups that we are doing our very best and that the issue is at the top of our agenda. I accept the points the Minister makes but I am not sure the issue is at the top of the agenda, for Cabinet or for Government as a whole.

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