15 Aib 2013, 11:18
The Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht will continue with its hearings on the difficulties in getting home insurance for properties in areas that have experienced extreme weather events when it meets with Éamonn Downey, Interim President, Irish Claims Consultants Association and Mr Paul Kavanagh, Insurance Broker, Mc Carthy Insurance Group.
Leas-Chathaoirleach of the Committee Noel Coonan TD said: “Tomorrow we will resume our hearings when we meet with Éamonn Downey of the Irish Claims Consultants Association which was set up in 2010 to establish a professional Industry body for Public Loss Assessors and Claims Consultants within the ever changing Insurance market and with insurance broker Paul Kavanagh.
Members will be keen to get their perspective on the difficulties for individuals and businesses in obtaining home insurance in areas which have experienced extreme weather events, such as 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.”
Before this meeting takes place, the Committee will meet with Caitríona Walsh, Chairperson Designate of the Private Residential Tenancies Board.
The Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) has three main functions.
- The maintenance of a register of tenancies in the private rental sector.
- The provision of a Dispute Resolution Service in the event of landlord/tenant disputes.
- Carrying out Research and providing Policy Advice to the Minister in relation to the Private Rental Sector.
Leas Chathaoirleach Noel Coonan, TD said: “Under the Programme for Government, those who are being proposed for appointment as chairpersons of State boards are required to make themselves available to the appropriate Oireachtas Committee. The meeting tomorrow with Caitríona Walsh will allow the Committee consider the approach she proposes to take as Chairperson of the Private Residential Tenancies Board and discuss her priorities for the board.”
This meeting will start in Committee Room 4, Leinster House at 2.15pm tomorrow, Tuesday 16th April 2013.
Committee proceedings can be followed live at:
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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).