Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is not acceptable that the damage done in Connemara has been under-estimated. I would like the Leader to give consideration to ensuring the role of insurance companies, an issue which has been raised in recent days, is covered during that debate. I understand that Governments in other countries have put in place types of insurance cover to support people in areas that are affected by floods and natural disasters. Perhaps the Minister could be briefed that we will be raising these issues when he comes to this House to discuss the flooding issue. I have come across many people whose private property - fishing equipment, etc. - has been damaged and they have no recourse. Many people are concerned that the insurance companies will not renew their insurance.

I would like to second the amendment to the Order of Business that has been proposed by my colleague, Senator Cullinane. I am totally appalled that we will not be sitting tomorrow. Last week, I requested a debate on the ambulance service. The Leader mentioned to me at the time that requests had been made for debates on approximately 12 health issues. He said I would be put at the end of that list. It is totally unacceptable that the Leader cannot get anybody in to listen to a debate, even though we have a Minister for Health and the two Ministers of State in the Department of Health. In total, we have 15 Ministers and a plethora of Ministers of State. Debates in this House are often attended by a Minister or Minister of State whose brief has absolutely nothing to do with the issue in question. The Government needs to hear the message from the Seanad that we should be sitting tomorrow and every Thursday. We are here to do a job. It is simply not acceptable that Ministers and Ministers of State are not coming in for the debates that the people of this country are asking us to have on issues that are very serious to them. This message needs to go back to the Government. I am not laying the blame at the Leader's door. I am blaming the current Government for this unacceptable state of affairs.