Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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154. To ask the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to problems faced by businesses in coastal areas obtaining insurance in view of the fact certain companies are basing their refusal on their own climate change presumptions; if his Department commissioned any study to examine specific coastal areas that will be adversely affected by rising sea levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5580/17]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I am conscious of the difficulties that the absence of flood cover can cause to householders and businesses alike. 

However, you should be aware that the provision  of insurance is a commercial matter for insurance companies, which has to be based on a proper assessment of the risks they are accepting. This assessment will in relation to coastal communities, in many cases include  insurers  own climate change presumptions based on their own modelling and research. Consequently, neither the Government nor the Central Bank has any influence over this matter. This position is reinforced by the EU framework for insurance which expressly prohibits Member States from adopting rules which require insurance companies to obtain prior approval of the pricing or terms and conditions of insurance products. 

Policy at national level in relation to climate change adaptation is being developed in accordance with the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015. Under section 5 of the 2015 Act, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment must submit to Government for approval, not later than 10 December 2017, a National Adaptation Framework (NAF). 

The Irish Coastal Protection Strategy Study (ICPSS) is a national study that was commissioned in 2003 with the objective of providing information to support the Local Authorities making decisions about how best to manage risks associated with coastal flooding and coastal erosion. The Study was completed by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in 2013 and provides strategic current scenario and future scenario (up to 2100) coastal flood hazard maps (and strategic coastal erosion maps) for the national coastline.

In addition, the National CFRAM Programme has investigated in further detail the coastal risk, including the risk that may emerge under possible future scenarios, for 90 coastal communities around the country where the risk was deemed to be potentially significant. Measures to address the risks identified were set out in Draft Flood Risk Management Plans that were published in 2016 for consultation.

Also, in line with the Sectoral Adaptation Plan for flood risk management, prepared by the OPW under the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2015, the planning and design for flood defence schemes takes climate change into account. This includes the feasible measures being identified through the Flood Risk Management Plans.

Finally, as the Deputy will be aware, the consumer has already recourse to the Financial Services Ombudsman to make a complaint in relation to any dealings with a Financial Services or Insurance provider during which they feel they have been unfairly treated. In addition, individuals who are experiencing difficulty in obtaining insurance or believe that they are being treated unfairly may contact Insurance Ireland which operates a free Insurance Information Service for those who have queries, complaints or difficulties in relation to insurance.