by Andrew Carey
THE Taoiseach believes there is no reason why the insurance industry should not engage with uninsured Limerick homeowners in the wake of last month’s devastating floods.
Responding to Dáil questions from Limerick Fianna Fáil TD Willie O’Dea, Mr Kenny said that where flood defences were being put in place or were planned, “there is no reason that the insurance industry, including the Insurance Federation, should not provide insurance in terms of the risks involved.”
Deputy O’Dea asked for a Government response to “the plight of Limerick flood victims in private houses who were unable to obtain insurance against flooding.”
He also tabled a parliamentary question to Environment Minister Phil Hogan regarding the matter.
Stating that a month had passed since the floods, the Limerick Deputy told Mr Kenny that the people of Limerick were still awaiting a response from Government.
“These homeowners face refurbishment bills of tens of thousands of euro in some cases to make their homes habitable again”, he said.
“I have questioned the Taoiseach about the delay and he was still unable to tell me when there would be a response to Limerick City Councils submission concerning flood damage to privately owned homes in Limerick.
“It is not good enough that Irish citizens have been left homeless in many cases and yet one month on they still don’t know what the Governments response will be”, Deputy O’Dea concluded.
Mr Kenny said that he would “have to come back to the Deputy on that matter” adding that “there was an immediate response on humanitarian issues. There was also assistance for white goods and flooded houses”.
