Deirdre Clune (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On Thursday last we had statements on flooding and flood prevention measures when the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Brian Hayes, was present. Senator Barrett and I raised the issue of insurance cover with him. I am concerned that there are areas in Cork and elsewhere where flood cover is not available because of a flooding history in the area. The Office of Public Works and the Irish Insurance Federation need to negotiate protocols. The Minister of State told the House bluntly that he was very frustrated at the lack of progress he is making with the Irish Insurance Federation. The effect of his comments was that one can bring the Irish Insurance Federation to the table but it is not engaging.

Yesterday the Irish Insurance Federation appeared before the Joint Committee on the Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht, under the chairmanship of Deputy Ciarán Lynch, and said the Office of Public Works needs to communicate reliable information to it and it needs to have confidence in the OPW's review. That indicates it does not have confidence in the OPW. Within one week two views have been communicated to the Houses and in the meantime individuals, businesses and households cannot get insurance because they are in a flood risk area. I ask the Leader to convey the comments of the Irish Insurance Federation to the Minister of State who expressed a different view on Thursday last and have the matter resolved in order that those on the ground can move forward because they are frustrated.