Vol. 541 No. 2
181 Mr. O'Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposals she has to extend insurance cover to hoteliers who were out of cover for a period after the collapse of a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21701/01]
193 Mr. Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will ensure that insurance cover is provided for those people, in particular in the hotel business, who have been exposed to heavy financial losses due to the collapse of an insurance company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22045/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 181 and 193 together.
I have been concerned about the implications for Irish policyholders affected by the liquidation of Independent Insurance company Limited, IICL, a UK authorised insurer, since June last. Following the commencement of the liquidation process in the UK, I immediately met with representatives of the Irish Insurance Federation to address the urgent consequences for the company's Irish policyholders. I know that the insurance industry here provided alternative cover within a short timescale for most of the policyholders affected. Irish companies are at the liberty to seek insurance on the London market or elsewhere in the EU. I would point out that the insurance cover is provided through the marketplace by individual private insurance companies, that offer cover on the basis of their assessment of the risk.
