I seek an update on the Government's action plan on insurance reform. This issue continues to be raised with many of us by households, community groups and business still facing very high premiums and, in some cases, finding it difficult to get cover at all. I would like to know where the action plan currently stands, what progress has been made to date and, in particular, whether the priority actions identified within the plan are being implemented.

Sentiment score: 0.10

The action plan was pledged as the answer to years of rising premiums and uncertainty for households and businesses. However, as I am sure he acknowledges, my colleagues and I continue to hear from people who have not yet seen any meaningful reduction in their insurance costs despite the reforms that have been announced. Will he set out how the Department is tracking the implementation of the reforms and measuring the impact they are having in practice on insurance customers?

Sentiment score: 0.07

While not directly included in the action plan, I have a question about the Central Bank (Amendment) Bill 2025, particularly the right-to-be-forgotten provision for cancer survivors seeking mortgage protection insurance, as alluded to by the Minister of State. Will he confirm that mortgage providers will embrace that provision? Has there been any dialogue, input or feedback from them in this regard?

Sentiment score: -0.11

I have pressed the Tánaiste on this before, as I have done his predecessor. I reiterate the fact that asset values are rising and have been steadily rising over many years. This applies particularly to the family home. At the same time, families are smaller and, as my colleagues are saying, it is not always a direct inheritance from a parent to child. Sometimes, it goes elsewhere in the family or even outside the family. In light of the fact that prices and incomes are rising, I stress that there is absolutely no inflationary-based response in the thresholds. I seek the Tánaiste's commitment that he will address this and look to reform the inheritance tax categories in budget 2027.

Sentiment score: 0.05

Has any engagement by the Department occurred with the insurance sector following recent severe weather events, including both Storm Bram and Storm Chandra? These storms have caused real damage and anxiety for many households that are now trying to cope with the aftermath. Could the Minister of State outline what specific engagement has taken place to date and how the insurance sector is responding to these interactions?

Sentiment score: -0.01

I thank the Minister of State. As more claims are processed, households now fear that making a valid flood claim could lead to exclusion from further insurance cover or sharp premium hikes, which compound their vulnerability to future weather events. I met many of these households and families over the last few days and weeks in Dublin Rathdown, which was particularly hit by the recent Storm Chandra. These families understand the sector's challenges, but they need protection against being priced out or dropped entirely. Will the Minister of State confirm specifically whether his engagement with insurers includes commitments to prevent households from being excluded from future policies due to a single flood claim? Will any measures or guidelines be introduced to safeguard their ongoing insurability?

Sentiment score: 0.06

I appreciate the Minister of State's and the Department's proactive interaction with the insurance industry. Will he confirm whether his Department's engagements with the insurance industry have included discussions about the role insurers could play in preventing future flooding? In particular, has he explored the possibility of insurance companies contributing in some way to resilience measures such as funding local flood prevention works, supporting community level defences, or even co-operating on schemes that reduce the risks for households and businesses to prevent reoccurrence?

Sentiment score: 0.43