Environment Committee publish report on insurance availability for those in flood risk areas

The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht today published its Report on Flooding and Property Insurance in Ireland 2015.

16th December 2015

In compiling the report, the Committee examined the background to current policy issues, the position of the Irish insurance industry and matters relevant to the individual claimant. Also examined were the difficulties that rural dwellers’ have with securing insurance cover for flooding and how other EU countries manage flood risk insurance.

The Report calls for a review of the way in which those who live in high-risk areas are supported and sets out a list of practical recommendations in this regard. Some of the report’s findings and recommendations include:

•    The Committee would urge sustained levels of State investment in flood defences and river maintenance in vulnerable areas
•    The Committee also considers it necessary to extend nationwide the successful flood warning systems operated by some local authorities
•    Planning Guidelines for Flood Risk should be amended and consideration be given to a ban on future building on flood plains and in low-lying coastal areas which are prone to sea flooding
•    The problem of householders located in geo-coded areas who were refused cover or had their premiums increased even though their property had not been flooded be the subject of a systematic investigation by the Central Bank of Ireland to determine the extent of this issue and advise on appropriate measures
•    A partnership between the government and the insurance industry may be necessary to forge a new agreement for the provision of insurance to policyholders in localities excluded from flood cover.
•    If, after examining the various models of international-best practice, no adequate solution can be reached, the State could consider the merits of introducing legislation that would compel insurance providers to provide flood insurance to everyone

Committee Chair, Michael McCarthy, TD, said: “The recurring problem of flooding across the country is having a devastating impact on those in high-risk areas. The extreme weather events of recent years have led to the urgent need for a plan on how we can support households who now find themselves unable to secure, or renew, insurance. This causes a knock-on effect to property prices and this needs to be addressed. This report puts forward nine specific recommendations that can form the basis for a legislative action plan in this area.”

“Throughout the course of our deliberations we encountered a number of themes such as the need for a collaborative approach to designing flood defences, investment in targeted flood defence systems, the prohibition of building in flood-risk areas and an enhanced system of flood warning systems. Our recommendations address these issues directly and I would like to thank Committee Members and staff for their excellent work in publishing this report today.”

The report can be accessed here.

ENDS

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Committee Membership:

Chairman: Michael McCarthy TD (Labour)

Deputies:

Mr James Bannon TD (Fine Gael); Mr Noel Coonan TD (Fine Gael)[Leas-Chathaoirleach]; Ms Ruth Coppinger TD (Socialist Party); Ms Helen McEntee TD (Fine Gael); Mr Barry Cowen TD (Fianna Fáil); Mr Robert Dowds TD (Labour); Mr Eamonn Maloney TD (Labour); Mr Tony Mc Loughlin TD (Fine Gael); Ms Michelle Mulherin TD (Fine Gael); Ms Catherine Murphy TD (Independent); Mr Fergus O’Dowd TD (Fine Gael); Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD Uasal (Fianna Fáil); Mr Brian Stanley TD (Sinn Féin); Mr Peadar Tóibín TD Uasal (Sinn Féin)

Senators:

Senator Terry Brennan (Fine Gael); Senator Cáit Keane (Fine Gael); Senator Denis Landy (Labour); An Seanadóir Fiach Mac Conghail (Neamhspleách); An Seanadóir Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fáil); Senator Ned O’Sullivan (Fianna Fáil)