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

My understanding - and I stress the word “understanding” - is that although Clare County Council oversees the fair and supports it with financial assistance, the fair itself falls out outside the scope of the Casual Trading Act 1995 due to its historical charter status. As a result, it cannot avail of group insurance schemes operated by the market, active support teams and the Irish Organisation of Market and Street Traders, IOMST, and, therefore, its organisers must seek insurance on a stand-alone event. In that context, it is similar to other such events as the Smithfield Horse Fair and Ballinasloe Fair.

As regards dealing with pinch points, we had issues in a couple of industries. The Deputy mentioned childcare. Two years ago, after Brexit, there was a serious issue with availably of insurance for that sector. One company is providing such insurance on the basis that the childcare industry came together collectively to have group purchasing power with a large premium. It has secured insurance. I spoke directly to the only company that provides insurance for childcare and reductions in its premiums are coming because of the improved standards and uniform approach taken by the sector.

On a related industry, point-to-point pony clubs and hunts could not get insurance last Christmas. We got that matter sorted, again by a large group of hunts, pony clubs and point-to-point races coming together. Collectively, through two different brokers, they increased competition and got insurance. There is scope to do that here, although I am not making any commitment whatever. It is not my role to get involve in that. However, I ask the Deputy to contact my office and we will talk to Insurance Ireland and Brokers Ireland to see if they can help. I stress again that this a market issue. We will not have a role but if we can point people in a helpful direction, we will be happy to do so.

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