Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and will move on to the Topical Issue debate. I wish to raise the fair at Spancil Hill. I am sure everyone in the House knows it is on 23 June. It is an important cultural institution in Ireland. It is obviously an important horse fair both nationally and internationally. It goes beyond that and is now a cultural icon. It was recently included in Ireland's national inventory of intangible cultural heritage. Like much of our intangible cultural heritage, it is not only intangible but is endangered and will not be around for much longer unless the Government takes action to protect it because it cannot now get insurance. Insurance is a significant obstacle for any event. Occupier's liability is an issue for every organisation in the country, whether they are sporting bodies such as GAA clubs, farmers or any other entity, premises or event in the country that needs insurance.

The fair at Spancil Hill was founded by royal charter, by King Charles, in 1621. It was 400 years old last year, but the fair did not take place in 2020 or 2021 because of Covid. It faces an even bigger threat from the state of the insurance industry in Ireland right now. The inability to get insurance is threatening it. There is a voluntary committee, none of whom could be called royalists, which revived the fair at Spancil Hill in 1989. It was made famous by the song. The committee simply cannot run the fair without getting insurance, which it cannot get since the British company that used to provide it exited the market. Another famous horse fair in Ireland, at Ballinasloe, is in a position to proceed because it is held in the fair green, which is owned by Galway County Council and is covered by its insurance policy. The Spancil Hill fair is held on a farm, which is private property, and has been since the royal charter was granted in 1621. It cannot be held because of insurance.

I ask the Minister of State to look into this matter, and not just for Spancil Hill. There is a little time to save Spancil Hill, but it is a broader issue. I wrote to the Minister of State's predecessor, Michael D'Arcy, when I was not a Deputy, suggesting some legislative change may be appropriate. He spoke about the cost of insurance working group, which was established in 2016 and reported. Almost all the key recommendations have been addressed, including the personal injuries guidelines, which were controversial but were approved by the Judiciary on 6 March 2021, which is a full year ago now. Most of the measures recommended have been enacted, yet Spancil Hill cannot get insurance. It is not unique. It is a substantial obstacle to various events throughout the country. We need to make sure these events take place. The fair at Spancil Hill is iconic, but there are other community groups organising various festivals and events. It will be the first summer back for many of them, like Spancil Hill, which has been in abeyance for two years, and they may not be able to get insurance. I hope the Minister of State has some succour to offer.

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