Chair of the Public Accounts Committee and Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow, John Brady has called on the government to stop blocking and urgently back the Flood Insurance Bill, which he introduced to the Dáil in 2021.
The Bill, designed to compel the insurance industry to provide homeowners and businesses with insurance cover in flood-affected areas, was blocked at second stage by the government in June 2023, when they moved a 12-month timed amendment.
Following the expiry of the timed amendment, An Taoiseach and the Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform were required to consult with the European Central Bank (ECB) on the Bill – this process was never completed.
Teachta Brady:
“Storm Chandra has again laid bare how exposed many of our citizens and their homes and businesses are to extreme weather and flooding.
“In 2021, I introduced the Flood Insurance Bill with the intention of safeguarding the rights of property owners in flood-affected areas by promoting fairness within the property insurance market, particularly by tackling discriminatory practices by insurers.
“The Bill aimed to require insurance companies to provide buildings and flood cover to homeowners and businesses in areas that had previously experienced flooding.
“Despite the urgency of the situation, the government disgracefully employed their favoured tactic of using their numbers in the Dáil to kick a piece of legislation down the road – moving an amendment to put a time-delay on the introduction of the Bill.
“After the time-delay, the Taoiseach and relevant committee were also required to consult with the ECB on the Bill, work that was never completed.
“This is completely unacceptable.
“If the government did not take steps to block this vital bill at the time, many of those most affected by Storm Chandra would have had access to insurance cover.
“The government must now stop blocking and allow us to move this legislation forward.
“I call on all deputies, but particularly those in government, to stand with those who have fallen foul of the greed of the insurance industry.
“It is ludicrous that the government would allow the insurance companies to continue to get away with this.
“Homeowners and businesses must have their right to insurance cover honoured.”
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