Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State is a master of suspense. I am looking forward to hearing what his proposal is. I would very much welcome any proposal he would have to make, as would the committee in Spancel Hill and the broader community.

This event is organised by a committee and enjoys broad, popular support. It is a big event run with the co-operation of the surrounding community, as well as the Garda. It has not given rise to any trouble so it comes as a big surprise to me, as it will to many others, that it is danger because of insurance. This may be the result Brexit.

We also spoke earlier in the week about childcare. One of the major costs childcare providers face continues to be an increase in the cost of insurance. There is an issue around occupiers' liability insurance in Ireland. If the reforms called for by the cost of insurance working group are carried out and they are not having the desired impact - the Minister of State and I agree they are being carried out – the Government will have to look at the matter again. Governments have a tendency to say there is nothing they can do, it is a matter for the markets, etc., but there was a time in this State when the Dáil could legislate. It was by legislation that the VHI was introduced because the Government of the day - that was a Fine Gael Government whereas we now have a Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael Government - decided that we needed State intervention in the health insurance market in Ireland. We may be close to the time when we need State intervention in occupiers’ liability insurance. This is one example. It is an important example. It very much illustrates what is being lost in Ireland by the cost of insurance. This is an important part of our culture and patrimony that is being lost. Equally, there are childcare facilities that are being lost and many facilities across various sectors are under threat because of the inability to obtain insurance.

See this speech in context