19 Márta 2013, 10:25
Representatives from the Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) will attend the meeting of the Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht today, Tuesday, 19th March 2013 as part of its ongoing hearings on the difficulties in getting home insurance for properties in areas that have experienced extreme weather events.
Cathaoirleach of the Committee Michael McCarthy TD said: “Over the past number of years, a number of areas in the country have experienced extreme and increasingly frequent weather events, particularly flooding. For many communities and families, the trauma caused by flooding continues as they are now facing insurance problems. The problems people are experiencing with flooding and the impact of extreme weather on our communities forms a key part of the Committee’s current agenda and we have already met with various groups from communities around the country who are dealing with this issue. Today, we will meet with the Irish Insurance Federation to discuss the difficulties obtaining home insurance in areas which have experienced extreme weather events, such as flooding.
Members will be keen to find out what the IIF is doing for householders and communities, who through no fault of their own, are in areas now prone to flooding. We will want to know if the insurance industry has a strategy to deal with the financial consequences of flooding if regular flood damage occurs in certain areas and a policy for dealing with people living in these areas.
In particular, we will be interested to find out if the practice of geo-coding of areas by insurance companies is being reviewed. Geo-coding is used by insurers to assess risk for areas from flood, storm and subsidence.
Our Committee called for a review of this practice after our last meeting with the IIF. A code of good professional practice with regards to the problems that arise from geo-coding must be examined and insurance companies must recognise the remedial work carried out to prevent flooding, subsidence or storm damage by extreme weather when they geo-code those areas for insurance risks.
Tomorrow, we will have a chance to get an update on this matter from the IIF. Committee Members will also have an opportunity to raise any issues or concerns they may in relation to insurance cover for people and communities which have experienced flooding.”
This meeting will start in Committee Room 4, Leinster House at 2.15pm today, Tuesday 19th March 2013.
Committee proceedings can be followed live at:
http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/watchlisten/
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Membership of the Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
Deputies: James Bannon TD (Fine Gael); Paudie Coffey TD (Fine Gael); Noel Coonan (Fine Gael) Leas-Chathaoirleach; Marcella Corcoran Kennedy TD (Fine Gael); Barry Cowen (Fianna Fáil); Luke Flanagan TD (Independent); Kevin Humphreys TD (Labour); Michael McCarthy TD (Labour) Cathaoirleach; Sandra McLellan TD (Sinn Féin); Tony Mc Loughlin TD (Fine Gael); Michelle Mulherin TD (Fine Gael); Catherine Murphy TD (Independent); Gerald Nash TD (Labour); Seán Ó Fearghaíl TD; Brian Stanley TD (Sinn Féin).
Senators: Senator Cáit Keane (Fine Gael) Senator Denis Landy (Labour); An Seanadóir Fiach Mac Conghail (Neamhspleách); Senator Catherine Noone (Fine Gael); An Seanadóir Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fáil): Senator Ned O’Sullivan (Fianna Fáil).