Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Deputies opposite when they talk about balancing the duty of care. Before we came in here, we had it already arranged that I will meet with the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, and the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, at the very beginning of the new year to progress that legislation. Work has already been done on it in consultation with the Attorney General. It is an absolute priority for the Government to get that legislation published as soon as possible. It is only fair to businesses. If somebody has a fall in a person's property, it is not always the fault of the proprietor. That is something we have to rebalance in legislation. I think everybody in the House will agree with introducing common sense in that area. We will be moving on that immediately in the new year. Also, a reform of the PIAB process is being finalised.

On the event in Tasmania, obviously, the sympathy of every Member of this House goes out to those affected by that shocking tragic event. All we can do is extend our condolences to the families of the people involved.

Flooding is a major issue. I have met with the Office of Public Works, OPW, the Minister of State and those involved, and through the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, they are working on the flood map. The issue is to reduce the flood risk in those areas. That is the only way to make insurance more available in the flood risk areas.

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