Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We are four weeks away from St. Patrick's Day. Communities up and down the length of the country are putting plans together for St. Patrick's Day parades. One of the big issues we have come across, particularly in the past 48 hours, is St. Patrick's Day parades trying to get insurance. Quotations have been received of anything from €1,800 to nearly €3,000 to cover a parade for the day. This would be for a parade that could last less than 90 minutes. This is a very significant burden on these communities as they try to celebrate and acknowledge our patron saint. It is a very important day and especially after Covid. It is the first real sign that we can get out there and show our real national identity.

I am very concerned about the insurance levies that have been put on small community organisations. Insurance costs in Ireland have been an issue for many years. They have affected the community base in so many ways. This issue could have a huge impact on how we celebrate St. Patrick's Day. We need real government intervention to make sure we have the opportunity for these community groups to hold their St. Patrick's Day parades. We can do one of two things - we can bring forward a scheme to help groups to pay for their insurance or, more importantly, we can talk to the insurance companies at a national level to make sure affordable insurance costs are brought forward. A quote of €3,000 for small communities in west Cork this morning is not appropriate for insurance for these St. Patrick's Day parades. They are part of our heritage and they are part of what we do. We need to support communities as they try to show what we really do best, which is to celebrate Ireland and our Irish identity.