asked the Minister for Finance if he will state if the Office of Public Works effected insurance for employers' liability risks with an Irish insurance company for the present year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Government Insurance.
In accordance with their usual practice, the Commissioners of Public Works invited tenders for employers' liability insurance risks for the current year by Press advertisement from insurance companies or syndicates licensed by the Minister for Industry and Commerce to carry on employers' liability insurance business in Ireland or from brokers on their behalf. The tender which was accepted was that of Irish Overseas Insurance Brokers made on behalf of underwriters at Lloyds.
Have they lodged their insurance with an Irish insurance company?
They have lodged it with a company that is eligible according to an Act passed by the Oireachtas.
The Irish Overseas Insurance Brokers have not a registered office in this country. I want to know definitely from the Parliamentary Secretary whether the Office of Public Works have insured with an Irish insurance company.
I have already told the Deputy that they are insured with a company that is eligible to tender and to get the contract by virtue of an Act of the Oireachtas.
I am not finding fault with the Parliamentary Secretary's reply, because I am quite sure the information is correct, but the reply does not indicate to anybody that the Office of Public Works have lodged their insurance with an Irish insurance company with registered offices in this country. I am asking the Parliamentary Secretary whether the people with whom the insurance has been lodged have registered offices in this country?
I understand that their brokers have registered offices in this country.
A broker is not an Irish insurance company. Then we are told that we are anxious to develop our Irish industries.