Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I wrote to the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, on 20 July 2011 regarding this issue, which pertains to the unprecedented flooding in the autumn of 2009. After that flooding, many residual issues remained. In the first instance, as the Minister of State is aware, the then Government put in place humanitarian aid, which was made available expeditiously. However, during my term as Minister for Social Protection, two main issues remained to be resolved. The first was the relocation and the second was ensuring that those who would not be relocated would be provided with insurance for their houses. In December 2010, two memoranda were brought to Government. One put aside €4 million for relocation for up to 20 houses and it was clearly understood that if that number rose to 23, 24 or 27 houses, it would not be an issue. I understand that in recent weeks, offers of relocation have been made. I am very disappointed at the amount of time it has taken the current Government to implement that decision but I understand that some progress has been made in this regard at last.

The other decision made in government dealt with the insurance issue. The decision was that the Office of Public Works, OPW, would continue to progress spending on flood relief works for the worst affected areas in a structured way to reflect priorities, taking appropriate account of catchment flood risk assessment and management studies, as this approach represents the most cost-effective solution to the difficulties some people were having in getting insurance cover, in conjunction, where appropriate, with the then Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. It went on to decide further that the Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, an office now held by Deputy Brian Hayes, would take the lead role in the continuing discussions with the insurance industry about the provision of insurance cover in areas in which remedial works were being carried out, supported appropriately by the then Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Department of Finance and would report back to the Government on progress. Moreover, the Office of Public Works, which I reiterate is the responsibility of the Minister of State, was to put in place a regular and structured communication process with the Irish insurance industry to try to ensure a regular flow of information to insurance companies assessing the risk of flooding to homes and businesses.

Despite the fact that the Office of Public Works has stated to the people in various places, I will mention in particular Caherlea-Lisheenavalla and Carnmore in my constituency, that it will and has carried out works that will have a major impact on the possibility of flooding, those people still cannot get flood insurance for their houses. This situation is absolutely ridiculous. The Minister of State was charged with liaising with the industry. The idea of the previous Administration was quite simple. It was that the Minister of State would put it to the industry that in the event of the works being carried out and of clear progress being made, the industry would continue to insure these houses, Such houses, which only flooded in extreme conditions in 2009 are no longer at high risk and even if there was a repetition of the kind of weather and flooding that took place in 2009, they would be highly unlikely to flood now because of the mitigating works.

I expect the Minister of State will tell the House - I have it in a reply to a parliamentary question of 16 June 2011 - that this is all a matter for the insurance industry. If the Minister of State believes that, he must believe in leprechauns and so on. He is aware that the insurance industry, in the case of these small number of houses affected, will listen to the Government because the industry is and has been liaising with the Government since Fianna Fáil was in power in respect of the areas of priority in which works needed to be carried out. As the Minister of State also is aware, in such a situation, it is easy to lay down that if the industry seeks the investment of millions of euro of State money by the Government in flood mitigation works, the Government in return would expect the industry to provide insurance to the small number of affected houses at which it has been decided that relocation was not needed because the risk would be so small. It appears strange that the Government could not, through all this liaison work, ensure these households were provided with the insurance.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I hope the Minister of State will at last reply to my letter of last July and I am shocked not to have received a detailed reply to that letter.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will have two minutes-----

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Second, I hope the Minister of State will take these householders out of their misery and ensure that in line with the Government decision of last December, they will receive flood insurance.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputy, who will have two minutes later on. The Minister of State now has four minutes in which to respond.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I am delighted to have an opportunity to reply to the matter raised by the Deputy. By Government decision in December 2010 in respect of insurance matters, the previous Government agreed with the Office of Public Works that the latter would continue to progress spending on flood relief works for worst affected areas in a structured way to reflect priorities, taking appropriate account of catchment flood risk assessment and management studies, as this approach presents the most cost-effective solution to the current difficulties some people have experienced in trying to get insurance cover. It also was agreed by that Government, of which the Deputy was a member, that the Minister of State at the Office of Public Works - the Deputy has rightly pointed out that I hold that office and I am fully aware of it - would take the lead role in the continuing discussions with the insurance industry about the provision of insurance cover in areas in which remedial works were being carried out, supported by the then Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Department of Finance and the OPW. Moreover, the OPW would put in place a regular and structured communication process with the Irish insurance industry to ensure a regular flow of information to insurance companies assessing the risk of flooding to homes and businesses. It is noteworthy to recall that the previous Government, which included the Deputy, specifically decided not to pursue any other options to address the issue of insurance cover, which speaks for itself.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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It is self-evident that if-----

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I did not interrupt the Deputy.

Following my appointment as Minister of State at the Office of Public Works, I went to considerable lengths to inform myself regarding the problems and experiences of people and communities across the country which have suffered from flooding events in recent years. This did not just happen since February despite all the pantomime performances we have had here today. As well as witnessing the scale of damage experienced by many communities, the issue of flood insurance cover was raised in several areas. I am aware of certain difficulties and concerns that some people are continuing to raise regarding obtaining flood insurance cover and I have moved to bring these to the attention of the Irish Insurance Federation.

I met representatives of the Irish Insurance Federation, which was the first such meeting for a long time involving any Minister from this Government or the Deputy's Government and those discussions will continue.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Why did it take six months to do so?

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I met representatives of the Irish Insurance Federation in July of this year to explore the extent of these problems, which had been left to us to solve. A further meeting with the IIF took place last month. I am satisfied now that informational interchange between the OPW and the Irish Insurance Federation has been enhanced effectively to the extent that the Irish Insurance Federation has been provided not just with historical flood data, but is also being kept up to date with current minor and major flood alleviation and protection works and the up-to-date flood data analysis emerging from the catchment flood risk assessment and management programme. In this regard, the Irish Insurance Federation has been provided with a full suite of documents relating to the preliminary flood risk assessment, following my engagement with its representatives, something that did not happen under the Deputy's watch.

In addition the Irish Insurance Federation will be kept fully apprised of ongoing developments on the CFRAM programme and of relevant information arising from the associated CFRAM studies which are being commissioned across the six constituent river basin districts of the national river network. I am reassured by the Irish Insurance Federation that this informational exchange is shared across the insurance industry and is of assistance to insurance companies in the assessment of applications for flood insurance cover. However, where issues are brought to my attention such as those the Deputy has outlined, I will consistently raise them with it, now that we are getting close to having a protocol in place, which was not there in the past despite all the commentary otherwise.

My focus at present, therefore, is to explore ways in which this very small cohort of applications, which may have their problems in obtaining flood insurance cover, can be reviewed to identify any particular difficulties which arise owing to inadequate information or market inertia. I will continue my discussions with the Irish Insurance Federation to this end and I hope to be in a position to announce a satisfactory arrangement in this regard with the Irish Insurance Federation in the near future.

On the issue of house relocation, as a former Minister for Social Protection, the Deputy will be well aware that this is a matter exclusively for that Department. Where requested by the Department of Social Protection, my office has provided technical advice as to the sustainability of dwellings affected during the November 2009 flood events. These advices have had necessary regard to the provision of flood protection and alleviation works considered as a result of the 2009 floods. I see no inconsistency in highlighting the outlay of what, in many instances, amounts to considerable levels of funds from my office for flood risk prevention, which should be taken into account by other Departments and agencies of the State in deciding on applications for other forms of funding assistance.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I am delighted the Minister of State in a very tardy fashion is implementing this fully. I know the Minister for Finance has said he would not provide direct insurance from the State, which was our policy to which the Minister of State referred when he mentioned the decision we made. Our decision was quite clear and was to interact with the insurance industry exactly as the Minister of State is doing. My problem is that what should have taken two months has taken the Government virtually a year. It is now almost two years since this flood event. It has taken since December. A general election intervened in the January and February period. The Government came into power in March and it took until July to implement the Government decision to meet the Irish Insurance Federation and implement our decision.

When does the Minister of State believe he will bring the process we introduced to a conclusion? What is his intention in the event of the insurance companies not playing ball? We believed we would resolve it in the way the Government is trying to resolve it. We believe that with the energy we had we would have done it by now. Why has it taken the Government so long?

It is not a laughing matter.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy is turning it into one.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Allow the Deputy to proceed.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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For someone living in a house without insurance, it is no laughing matter.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy has lost it.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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However, to the Minister of State it is all a big joke. We were working day and night on this matter.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy is making a fool of himself.

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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He is wasting time.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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It has taken the Government months and the Minister of State does not have an answer for me today. In the event of the insurance companies now not providing insurance on a risk-management basis to the people, who according to the Minister of State's documentation should get it? What will the Government do next?

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I know the Deputy enjoys this type of pantomime performance every so often since his very sharp exit from office and I know he is in difficulty for all kinds of reasons. However, it is not appropriate to turn this into some kind of plaything across the House.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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It is the Minister of State who is doing that.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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His Government took no decision on this issue.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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We did. The Minister of State read out the Government decision. He should stop telling lies.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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One voice, please. Allow the Minister of State to continue.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister of State should stop telling lies.

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The House should not accept unparliamentary language.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister of State is abusing the privilege of this House.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy, please.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The first meeting that occurred between the Irish Insurance Federation and my office was at my instigation.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Implementing a Government decision.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy, please.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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It had nothing to with the Deputy's Government's decision because that Government-----

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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So the Minister of State ignored the Government decision. Why did he quote it at the beginning of his contribution?

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy, please. The Minister of State has two minutes to reply.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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One of the reasons the Deputy is losing it is-----

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister of State is leaving houses without insurance and he does not care.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy should go on out of that. This is more of the pantomime performance. Is he finished?

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister of State does not care; that is what is wrong with him.

Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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The time is up.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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No more interruptions.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The previous Government did nothing about the issue - that is the historical fact.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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It is not a fact.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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When I came into office, I met families in communities affected by this problem.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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In the summer.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I gave them an assurance that I would set up a meeting with the Irish Insurance Federation, which I did. I have instructed my officials to agree a new protocol with the Irish Insurance Federation. I hope to be in a position to announce that protocol shortly. That was the only initiative after a decade of no action by the previous Administration.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister of State is incorrect.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Despite the play-acting of the Deputy opposite, I ask anybody with a modicum of fairness to consider that in the round and regard it as some attempt to get insurance for these people. The Deputy claims he has an interest in this, but he has not. He has an interest purely in creating some kind of difficulty for those talks.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I beg the Minister of State's pardon.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Deputy to resume his seat.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I know it is difficult for the Deputy to hear this.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I brought the memorandum to Government that provided the money for the relocation.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy, the Minister of State has only-----

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I have an interest in it and the people involved know I work day and night for them on this issue.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I believe I have a right to reply.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy should resume his seat.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I know the Deputy is on the television for the wrong reasons these days, but turning this matter into some kind of plaything will not work.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister of State is the one doing that.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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People see through the Deputy and the more this performance continues, the more they see through him.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister of State's time has concluded.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The people know we will get this issue sorted out. We will put pressure on the Irish Insurance Federation and its constituent bodies to ascertain if they will provide insurance here. In coming weeks I hope to be able to announce a new protocol in this area - the first thing that has ever happened despite the bleating from the Deputy opposite.