David Norris (Independent)

I understand section 89 permits a charity to make arrangements for payments from its resources for insurance and so on, which is a welcome advance. However, it does not really address several of the points I made and especially the feasibility of obtaining such insurance. I am not an expert on insurance and my colleague, Senator O'Toole, would be more closely acquainted with the matter. He played a distinguished role on the Personal Injuries Assessment Board and knows a good deal about these matters, whereas I am not so familiar with matters of insurance availability or cost. However, the premium would be related to the possible exposure of the insuring body. If significant sums were involved, as there might well be, the premium could be very high. Will the Minister of State reconsider the matter? Like Senator O'Toole, I will table an amendment on Report Stage, although I am sure the Senator will find a more elegant formula. Like Senator O'Toole, I wish to disclaim ownership, since, to use the phraseology, I simply bunged it in when I got it.