Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 14 Mar 1996

Vol. 463 No. 2

Written Answers. - Public Liability Insurance.

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

30 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht what proposals, if any, he intends making to assist owners of historic heritage houses open to the public who are currently faced with crippling public liability insurance costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5864/96]

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

As the Deputy will be aware, I and my colleague, Deputy Howlin, Minister for the Environment, established, in February 1995, an interdepartmental working group, made up of officials of our Departments and of the Office of Public Works, to examine and make recommendations on strengthening the protection for listed buildings, including recommendations for placing the system of listed buildings on a statutory basis, for the introduction of incentives for the proper upkeep and maintenance of listed buildings, and for carrying out a full national architectural audit.

As I stated in my reply to a similar parliamentary question from Deputy de Valera on 2 March 1995, I am very aware of the problem posed to owners of historic houses which are open to the public by the high costs of public liablity insurance and I have specifically asked that this matter be included in the remit of the working group.

I look forward to receiving the group's report, which, I am informed, should be completed within the next few months, and I can assure the Deputy that, in consultation with the Minister for the Environment, I will give careful consideration to the report and to the introduction of any necessary new policy initiatives in this area.

In addition, I am aware that my ministerial colleague, Deputy Pat Rabbitte, has commissioned a report on "An Economic Evaluation of Insurance Costs in Ireland", including public liability insurance, from Deloitte and Touche, management consultants. I understand that the report, which should form a blueprint for future action in this area, will be finalised shortly. The consultants have been asked to make recommendations which may have a positive effect towards reducing the cost of insurance, including public liability insurance.