James Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

At this time of year, especially with the sun shining, it might seem strange to raise this subject, but it is one I have raised many times. Every winter there is flooding and coastal erosion, and nowhere more so than in The Burrow in Portrane. One family has had to abandon their home there, 13 other families face the same prospect and two businesses will also have to leave unless action is taken. I commend the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, on coming to The Burrow in Portrane. He understands the problem and has shown great interest in it. Fingal County Council is coming to the completion of the measures that it needs to take immediately to protect the remaining 13 homes and those two businesses, and it needs approval from the Minister of State and funding to implement those plans. Will the Deputy Leader ask the Minister of State to come before the House to outline that he will give approval to this, which I know he wishes to do? We do not want 13 families to lose their homes to the sea, along with two businesses. They deserve the help of the State to be able to stay in their homes, particularly in the midst of a homelessness and housing crisis. I hope that the Minister of State will take action immediately and allow us to do this work in the best conditions during the summer, not in the middle of the storms of winter.

I also welcome confirmation by the insurance industry that it will make funds to a dedicated Garda fraud insurance unit, something that the insurance alliance has been calling for and now the insurance industry is interested. Irish businesses and Irish motorists cannot sustain the ever-increasing hikes in premiums caused in large part by fraudulent claims. A present, people go to court, are found to have made vexatious and utterly false claims, walk away free without any fear of retribution or consequence, and then just try again.

I appeal to the Minister of State, Deputy D'Arcy, in particular, to re-examine this and to discuss, along with his colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, and the Garda Commissioner, the urgent need to establish this unit. I understand that the Garda would be in a position to do this fairly quickly. We need it to happen. We cannot allow this crime, which is what it is, to continue.