I want to address flood insurance or should I say the lack of flood insurance. It is estimated at over one in 20 homes and businesses is unable to access insurance. Over the past few weeks, I have met residents from Aughrim, Enniscorthy, Arklow and Bunclody and have seen at first hand the devastation caused by flooding. Moving forward, their biggest concern is simply that they are unable to access insurance. This problem has been replicated right across Ireland. Properties that are protected by multimillion euro flood defences still cannot get insurance. The Government must stand up here as these homes and businesses were approved by the authorities, so we simply cannot walk away. We need to implement a Government-backed scheme in conjunction with Insurance Ireland that is fit for purpose and will address the gap that currently exists and not leave thousands of homes and businesses without insurance.

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