Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach. Ba mhaith liom rud amháin a ardú inniu ar dtús agus buíochas a ghabháil le mo chomhghleacaí agus mo chara, an Seanadóir Ó Murchú, mar tá a lán oibre déanta aige ar an gceist seo.

The issue I raise relates to both flooding and insurance, which have been raised in the House on numerous occasions. A case was brought to my attention in the past week. A neighbour of mine, from Cumminstown, Kilbeggan, received planning permission seven years ago and built his house, where he lives happily. He lives 500 m from the River Brosna. When he sought to reinsure his house, his premium was hiked dramatically. To try to counteract this, he sought quotations from other companies, all of which refused. I have a copy of one letter he received, which states that because the property is located in an area prone to flooding, the company is refusing even to give him a quote. The increase in his premium will over the average life expectancy equate to a hike of between €20,000 and €25,000.

The flood risk report on our area states that on the riverbank in the town there is no fluvial flood risk to any properties and that no remedial action is required. Somebody drew a line on a map, however, from the other side of the river to his house. I am adamant that irrespective of all the science that will be presented regarding how and why these maps are concocted, those lines are put there with a strong element of to be sure, to be sure. The report states: "This should not be interpreted to mean that the areas will flood, just that there is a chance that may flood in the future." There is a chance that we will get the World Cup that Senator Cassells mentioned earlier, and there is even a chance that we will win that bloody World Cup, but I do not think it will happen. If that man's house is in a flood risk area, the rest of us need Noah's ark quickly or we are doomed. This hike in the insurance policy will potentially cost the man and his neighbours up to €25,000, index linked, over the course of their lives because they happen to be on the wrong side of a line that somebody has drawn on a map. We need a debate on the matter. It is a cross-departmental issue, relating to insurance and Office of Public Works, OPW, flood risk maps. I appreciate that the maps are needed. There are areas that need remedial action and the maps play a positive role in those scenarios, but not in this one.