Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to start by wishing women everywhere well on International Women’s Day, which, oddly, we will be making statements on tomorrow in this House. It is a great shame that our slot was put back until tomorrow.

I wonder if we can we have a debate in the House on public liability insurance for businesses and community groups? The cost of insurance has been inflating for years and the public liability insurance premiums continue to rise, despite a significant fall in the size of injury awards. A report late last year found that the awards had fallen by an average of 40% since the problem of disproportionate payouts was addressed by the Government and the Judiciary, which is to be welcomed. The insurance companies identified the cost of claims as the key driver of insurance costs and we have done our side of the deal in bringing those more into line with international levels. Insurance companies must act in good faith in return and pass on this reduction in costs to the insurer, rather than maintaining current premium growth rates and simply pocketing the profits.

Much attention was paid to small shops and community businesses during the pandemic, and rightly so. These enterprises facilitated a sense of community and neighbourhood and they deserve our support but we cannot confine that support to Covid times only.Many businesses that survived Covid restrictions may yet be put under by soaring insurance premiums. Aside from businesses, volunteer community groups throughout the country are having their activities severely curtailed or cancelled altogether by insurance requirements accompanied by premiums that are simply unpayable. Whether it is beach clean-ups, graveyard maintenance, work with refugees or sports camps, community initiatives that enable people to give back to their communities and build them up in the process should enjoy every possible support we can give them. That is why consideration should be given to allowing community groups to access insurance through the public participation network, via their local council, and be insured at a lower rate through Irish public bodies. That would seem to deal with much of the issue and would be a step in the right direction in supporting community initiatives. Perhaps we can have a debate on this in the House.

Before I finish, I will tell everybody that there will be a coffee morning in Leinster House tomorrow morning. Some 35 ambassadors from all over the world will join us here tomorrow to show their solidarity with the Ukrainian cause. I ask Members to please join us tomorrow morning if they can.