Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Once again I raise the issue of escalating insurance premiums, something that has been raised in the House regularly over months, and maybe years. It is having a devastating effect on SMEs and people in commercial entities but they can pass on the increased premium through the product or service they provide. This morning's "Today with Seán O'Rourke" programme featured representatives from charity groups and organisers of local events, such as small festivals or parades in rural Ireland. These organisations are being crippled. The programme featured a list, which is too long for me to rehash here, of festivals, events and parades organised by not-for-profit voluntary groups around the country which will not take place this year because of the exorbitant insurance prices they are being asked to pay.

This has been brought up at committees, in the Dáil and in this House but it is time to act when one sees volunteers, who are prepared to provide a service or entertainment and organise tourist attractions in their own communities being stopped, and when one sees charity groups and organisations having to abandon their great work because they cannot afford to pay the premiums. One example was given where there was a claim. It came to €24,000 but the premium was increased in the following year by €75,000. There is no correlation or relationship between increased risk or previous claims, it seems that many of these insurance companies merely pick a figure and move on. It is damaging for commercial entities but they have an opportunity to pass the costs on. For voluntary groups such as charities and organisers of local events, there is nowhere for them to pass on the premium and all this means is that the events will not take place.