asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether he is aware that because of the fact that insurance companies refuse to cover property owners against war risk and civil commotion, property owners cannot at present cover themselves against this, and if he will state whether in view of the difficulties in the matter and the questionable possibility of such damage arising, he will announce that it is the Government's intention itself to pay full compensation in respect of any such damage, and make the necessary arrangements to do so.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - War Risk Insurance.
I understand that the insurance companies here are not prepared to accept proposals from property owners for insurance against war risk and civil commotion. With regard, however, to the proposal that the Government should give property owners what would amount to premium-free cover against such risks, I can only say that I see no need in present circumstances for saddling the community in general with such a heavy responsibility. The best insurance against the risks referred to in the question is for all of us to set our faces against courses which might involve the State cither in war or civil commotion.
Is the Minister aware that by leaving the situation as it is he saddles every property owner in the country with, in the first place, a grave problem, and, in the second place, in case any damage is done to his premises, with a loss that he may not be able to provide for and that may well be crippling? The Minister will remember occasions in the past history of this country when it was necessary for the State to bear the cost of damage of this particular kind, when it was not possible for anybody in the country to estimate or foresee or make provision for such damage. Will the Minister consider the matter with a view to satisfying himself that this is the cheapest, the easiest and the simplest way of making provision for damage of this kind which is very problematical and which, if the responsibility is put on property owners to make provision for, will cost them probably much more?
You could not confine the burden of giving the cover which the Deputy requests to property owners only. At the moment they are bearing it and I am afraid they will have to continue to bear that risk.
Does the Minister say that the only thing that is open to property owners is the hope that their property will not be damaged? They have no means of insuring against that type of damage?
I do not see why if we granted it to property owners, the non property owner should not ask for a similar provision for his losses—that is what it comes to.
Can the Minister say what provision is going to be offered, either by insurance companies or by the Government, in respect of damage which may arise from war risk or civil commotion?
The risks are quite incalculable and I could not give any undertaking which would commit the Government to a burden that cannot be calculated.
The position is that while considerable defence measures are being taken against damage due to possible war, there is no machinery at all available to the people to make provision to insure their property.
I am afraid that property owners will have to take the same risk as the rest of us.
I am sure the Minister realises that there are losses that ordinary individuals may suffer, losses that may be very heavy, and that, in addition to that, there are the losses that would be suffered by business establishments whose plant would be disturbed and whose workers would be thrown out of employment. These are the losses that it is essential, in the interests of production and work in the country, that we should be prepared to replace. Does the Minister say that at the present moment there is no machinery for making provision against these losses?
None—nor has there been, as far as I am aware, in other countries where the risks are very much graver than here.
Is the Minister aware that, in some belligerent countries at the present time, it has been announced, in respect to damage to property, such as is referred to, the Governments will pay compensation for any damage that it has been found has been done?
So far as certain belligerent States are concerned, there has been an indication that at the end of the war, the question of compensation will be considered. The difference is that we are not at war and, therefore, conditions of belligerency do not arise.
As far as supplies are concerned, does the Minister realise that risk is one of the things that is militating against supplies bring brought here? When supplies are brought to a neighbouring country, even though it is at war, the goods can be insured, but when brought here, they come at owners' risk, and that is incalculable, and must militate against stocks being accumulated.