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CONTENTS
Contents.....................................................................................................................................................................2
Ramhra (Preface) ................................................................................................................................................6
1. Executive Summary ..................................................................................................................................... 10
2. BACKGROUND TO THE POLICY ISSUES .............................................................................................. 18
2.1 Weather-related insurance risks the global context .................................................................... 19
2.2 Climate change in Ireland in the 21st century..................................................................................... 22
2.3 The Irish insurance market ........................................................................................................................ 23
2.4 Irish insurance in the European context .............................................................................................. 24
2.5 Issues identified by the Joint Committee.............................................................................................. 29
2.5.1 Cost of flooding .......................................................................................................................................... 29
2.5.2 Households excluded from flood cover ........................................................................................... 29
2.5.3 Problems with geocoding and zoning by insurance companies............................................ 30
2.5.4 The Insurance industry and remedial works undertaken by the State or policyholders
..................................................................................................................................................................................... 30
3. POSITION OF THE IRISH INSURANCE INDUSTRY .......................................................................... 32
3.1 Cost of flooding................................................................................................................................................ 32
3.2 Households excluded from flood cover................................................................................................. 35
3.3 Cost of insurance premiums ...................................................................................................................... 38
3.4 The insurance market .................................................................................................................................. 39
3.5 Profit margins of insurance companies ................................................................................................ 40
3.6 Insurance industrys view of flood risk management ..................................................................... 41
3.6.1 Public agencies engaged in flood risk management ................................................................... 42
3.6.2 Criticisms of State flood defence programme by Insurance Ireland ................................... 43
3.6.3 State under-investment in flood defences ...................................................................................... 44
3.6.4 Response by OPW on expenditure on Flood Relief works....................................................... 45
3.7 Length of design and planning process for projects ........................................................................ 46
3.8 Planning Guidelines on flood risk management 2009 .................................................................... 48
3.9 The Committees response to the insurance industrys position ............................................... 50
Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
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3.10 Lack of communication between public agencies and the insurance industry ................. 52
3.11 Insurance industry measures to improve cover ............................................................................. 52
3.12 Insurance industry requirements for sustainable provision of insurance .......................... 53
3.13 Flood defences: call for the OPW and the property insurance industry to co-operate on
design and standards ........................................................................................................................................... 54
3.14 Founding of Insurance Ireland - OPW Working Group ................................................................ 56
3.15 Progress of the Insurance Ireland OPW Working Group......................................................... 58
3.16 Flood maps and CFRAMS (Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management) .......... 60
3.17 Flood warning systems ............................................................................................................................. 63
4. INSURANCE CLAIMANTS POSITION ................................................................................................... 64
4.1 The situation of property-owners excluded from flooding insurance ..................................... 64
4.2 Issues arising from geo-coding ................................................................................................................. 67
4.3. Competition in the insurance market ................................................................................................... 70
4.4 Insurance claimants problems in claiming ......................................................................................... 71
4.4.1 Retention of insurance payments ...................................................................................................... 71
4.4.2 Failure to advise claimants of right to their own representative ......................................... 73
4.4.3 Problems in comparing insurance quotes ...................................................................................... 74
4.5. Central Bank findings on household property claims resulting from water damage ....... 76
4.5.1 Response of Insurance Ireland to Central Banks findings ...................................................... 79
5. RURAL DWELLERS DIFFICULTIES WITH FLOODING AND INSURANCE ............................. 80
5.1 Farmers excluded from flood cover due to incidence of summer floods ................................ 80
5.2 Summer flooding in the Shannon catchment area ........................................................................... 81
5.2.1 Lake water levels ...................................................................................................................................... 81
5.2.2 Flood warnings .......................................................................................................................................... 85
5.2.3 Essential maintenance work on the Shannon ............................................................................... 86
5.3 OPW response to evidence given to the Committee on the river Shannon............................ 88
5.4. Shannon maintenance: silt and trees .................................................................................................... 89
5.4.1 OPW response on Shannon silt and trees ....................................................................................... 90
5.5 River Shannon: Solution proposed ......................................................................................................... 92
5.6 Provisions for farmers affected by disruptive weather events: case of Argentina ............. 93
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11.
12.
13.
14.
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RAMHRA (PREFACE)
ag
blianta
is
deicheanna
teacht
amach
ar
irinn
de
ar
bhlianta
na
at
mar go bhfuiltear ag
romhainn
tuar go
possible
that
these
problems
may
fianaise
Chomhchoiste
agus
um
Gaeltacht
faoi
bhrid
Chomhshaol,
go
bhfuil
na
an
Cultr
mlte
The
Joint
Committee
on
Environment,
thousands
of
previously
flooded
margadh
tithochta.
cuireadh
in
il
Ina
don
cheann
sin,
Choiste
gur
premiums increased.
insurance
cover
should
continue
6|Page
to
be
insurance
relation to flooding.
these
businesses
and
maoine
access
affordable
ar
chumhdach
rachais
tuilte
claimants
difficulties
to
and
and
property
State
bodies
ensuring
that
owners
have
flooding
insurance
inacmhainne.
coverage.
gach
organisations
duine
agus
gach
eagraocht
who
contributed
to
our
bhair
chomh
seo.
fhadfaimis
cuimsitheach
tuarascil
agus
chomh
to
produce
such
comprehensive
and
acu
irithe
ag
an
gCoiste
sa
tuarascil seo.
Ba mhaith liom buochas a ghabhil le
foireann
agus
Rnaocht
na
gCoist
wish
to
thank
the
members
of
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the
Mar
fhocal
scoir,
iarraim
ar
an
Aire
Environment,
Government,
the
leasmhara
eile
staidar
Minister
Community
Mr.
of
Alan
and
Kelly
State
Local
T.D.,
with
the
special
gharthodhcha.
__________________
Michael McCarthy TD
Cathaoirleach
14/12/2015
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1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht heard evidence that
thousands of previously flooded properties are now excluded from insurance cover. This
gives rise to financial problems as businesses and the housing market are affected.
Furthermore, the Committee heard that even properties that have not been flooded have
been excluded or had their premiums increased. It is possible that these problems may
intensify in the coming decades as increased precipitation is forecast for Ireland as a
result of climate change.1
The Joint Committee is concerned that insurance cover should continue to be widely
available and affordable to property owners in Ireland. It heard evidence from
representatives of the insurance industry, insurance claimants and State bodies engaged
in Flood Remediation works. It also heard from some rural dwellers who have
experienced a particular set of problems in relation to flooding.
Ireland has a model of property insurance in which flood cover is bundled with all other
risks. This model results in a high availability (penetration rate) of flood cover and has
been described by the European Commission as the most appropriate model. This model
is also used in the United Kingdom, France and Belgium. Insurance Ireland2 witnesses
explained to the Joint Committee that insurance offers protection against a risk but not
against a certainty. Insurance cannot cover policyholders against an inevitable event as
the cost of premia would greatly increase for all policy holders. Insurance Ireland stated
that high penetration levels of flood cover are necessary to ensure the continuance of
the current model whereby low-risk areas subsidise higher-risk areas. The continued
availability of flood reinsurance is vital as it allows insurers to provide cover for
catastrophic risks by spreading costs over time.
See, for example, Adaptation to Climate Change: Issues for Business (August 2010, p.7) published by Forfs, available
online at:
http://skillsstrategy.ie/media/Adaptation%20to%20Climate%20Change%20Summary%20Report%20ONLINE%20
FINAL.pdf
2 Since the Committee commenced it deliberations, the Irish Insurance Federation has been renamed Insurance
Ireland. For the purposes of simplicity and clarity, the new title shall be used throughout the report.
1
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The roles of the insurance industry and State authorities are complementary in that the
State, through its lead agency, the Office of Public Works (OPW), manages flood risk,
constructs structural defences where necessary and, through local authorities, carries
out non-structural measures such as clearing watercourses and drains. These measures
enable the insurance industry to provide cover against the risk of flooding.
Insurance Ireland submitted that more Government investment in structural defences is
needed to preserve flood insurance in high-risk areas, and that current levels of
implementation of flood defences need to improve.
deficiencies in the current Planning and Flood Risk Management Guidelines (November
2009)3 should be addressed. In this regard, it called for a prohibition of building on flood
plains. Other elements identified by Insurance Ireland as necessary for the sustainable
provision of insurance are availability of flood mapping and accurate data to facilitate
risk assessment; high insurance penetration levels to prevent adverse selection, and
continued availability of re-insurance.
The OPW responded by outlining the considerable investment that the State has made in
the construction of flood defences. The OPW estimates that over 5,000 properties have
benefited from this investment, with the estimated benefit in terms of damage and loss
avoided amounting to almost 900 million. Their witness said that the insurance industry
has also benefited from this investment as its large claims payment costs for flooding,
which amounted to almost 700 million since 2000, would have been much higher but
for the remedial and defence works undertaken by the OPW. Also, funding of 21.6
million has been provided since 2009 in respect of 400 projects in the minor and coastal
protection scheme. The OPW estimates that more than 2,400 properties (in addition to
the ones mentioned above) have varying levels of protection as a result of this
expenditure.
The OPW witness stated that the current Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and
Management (CFRAM) programme to identify, assess and map flood risk nationally will,
once it is completed and implemented, enable the insurance industry to take decisions
based on the fullest assessment of that risk.
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Kildare County Council witnesses outlined the local authorities complementary role in
flood risk management and concurred that CFRAM will make a major contribution to their
operations.
Insurance Ireland has supplied information to the OPW to ascertain whether the OPW
can match its priority areas with locations where insurers have made significant pay outs
on claims. The idea is that if effective measures are taken, which will include insurance
industry participation in design and an agreed standard of the built defences, there will
be greater availability of cover in areas that previously posed a problem. The claims cost
associated with flooding, subject to frequency and climate change issues, should
decrease and therefore the insurance cost should decrease.
The Committee heard from organisations representing those who have been excluded
from flood cover, or are at risk of being excluded, with the result that it is not possible to
get mortgages on their homes and the value of their homes plummets. Among the
issues raised by these stakeholders was the problem of householders located in geocoded areas who had been refused cover or had their premiums increased even though
their property had not been flooded. Since the Committee was informed by insurance
industry witnesses that geo-coding pinpoints a property, it is at a loss to understand the
reason for the problem. This issue requires a systematic investigation by the Central
Bank of Ireland to determine its extent and advise on the appropriate measures.
The Committees key concern was to discover how policyholders located in a geo-coded
area that identifies their properties as liable to repeat flooding can exit from this
category and have their flood cover restored or their premiums reduced. The insurance
industry witnesses explained that a letter from a local authority engineer certifying the
standard of flood defences would not suffice; insurance underwriters needed in-depth
technical data and participation in design, as described above.
Committee members were also informed of insurance company practices which some
witnesses claimed placed obstacles in the way of claimants. These include retention,
failure to advise claimants of their right to their own representative and unsatisfactory
settlements. Retention is the term for the insurers practice of providing advance
payments relating to the costs of repair / reinstatement (which allows repairs to be
undertaken) and paying the balance on receiving of a final invoice from the claimant.
Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
12 | P a g e
matching the insurance industrys priority areas with State planning for Flood
Remediation works; and
informing the industry of the technical standards of the State works so that
insurance underwriters can take this into account in assessing risks.
Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
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Thus far, it would appear this work is producing very positive benefits, and in March
2014, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Insurance Ireland and the
OPW on the sharing of information regarding completed flood defence works. The
anticipated outcome of this arrangement is that the insurance industry will have greater
understanding of the extent of the protection provided by completed OPW flood defence
works and will reflect this in assessing the provision of flood insurance to householders in
areas where works have been completed.
The Committees ambition is that this may lead to the inclusion of properties that were
previously excluded from insurance and to the reduction of premiums to more affordable
levels. However, if this ambition is not realised, other solutions may need to be
considered, including a partnership between the insurance industry and government. In
this regard, the Committee heard several proposals from witnesses and from the
Committees own members (see section 8).
Ireland has an insurance model described as the most appropriate in an EU report. 4
Several countries with insurance models similar to that in Ireland have experienced
problems faced here and have implemented partnerships between the insurance industry
and government. The schemes implemented in the United Kingdom, Belgium and France
are described in this paper (see section 7).
In 2008, a Statement of Principles agreement was established between the UK
government and the Association of British Insurers (ABI). This agreement aimed to keep
insurance costs down for those households in flood risk areas. The ABI agreed to offer
such households affordable home insurance in return for government development of
new flood defences and reinforcement of existing ones. In July 2013, a new scheme was
introduced to cover losses of UK householders who can no longer afford insurance cover.
Under the new arrangements, a new nonprofit making insurance fund, known as Flood
Re, will be established to provide insurance cover to 500,000 households in the worst
affected parts of the UK. Under Flood Re, every household in the country will pay a small
Natural Catastrophes: Risk relevance and Insurance Coverage in the EU, European
Commission, Joint Research Centre Scientific Support to Financial Analysis Unit Institute
for the Protection and Security of the Citizens, September 2012.
Accessed at: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/insurance/docs/naturalcatastrophes/jrc_report_on_nat_cat_en.pdf
14 | P a g e
levy (of 10.50) on their insurance premium to fund a pooled subsidy for those most at
risk of flooding, to ensure they can still obtain affordable home insurance.
Belgium has a Caisse Nationale des Calamits (National Disaster Fund) from which
claimants can get repairs after disasters such as natural disasters (floods, earthquakes,
discharge or overflow of public sewers, landslides and subsidence of soil). However, the
National Disaster Fund intervenes in very limited circumstances.
France has its Caisse Centrale de Rassurance (Central Reinsurance Fund), which is a
reinsurance company entirely owned by the French Republic. It is responsible for
designing, implementing and managing instruments to meet the coverage of exceptional
risks in the service of its customers and the public interest. These include reinsurance of
risks of natural disasters.
Solutions proposed by witnesses or Committee members
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OECD, Disaster Risk Management and Risk Financing, G20 / OECD Methodological Framework, 2012:
http://www.oecd.org/gov/risk/G20disasterriskmanagement.pdf (page 78)
6 Extreme weather is just one factor insurers need to consider, Financial Times, 29 September 2013.
Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
5
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Some leading insurance executives have warned that the rising costs
threaten the continued provision of important types of coverage at
affordable levels, particularly for flood-related damage in vulnerable
regions. In a report this year, the Geneva Association, trade body for the
global insurance industry, warned that a shift was taking place towards a
new normal for a number of insurance-relevant hazards.
However, the role of climate change in contributing to the rise in insurance
losses remains contentious.
Economic growth has played a much more important role, say several
scientists and insurance executives. Rising insurance losses driven by
development
are
not
necessarily
problematic
as
they
should
be
and
industrial
developments
take
place
on
low-cost
greenfield sites.
Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
20 | P a g e
, has called on
The Geneva Association: The leading international think tank of the insurance industry.
Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
21 | P a g e
may
therefore
be
necessary.
Without
adequate
mitigation,
those
heightened risks may lead not only to more homes and businesses suffering flooding but
to insurance premiums increasing to the point of becoming unaffordable for many
citizens and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
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developed efficiently, as total losses (both historical and simulated) are not very high,
while penetration rates are high. This could be mainly due to the fact in these countries
NatCat insurance is bundled as part of a more comprehensive policy (usually fire,
household and accidental damages insurance).
As a comparison, because the UK is in Cluster 1 with a similar insurance model to
Ireland, the corresponding table for the UK is presented. It will be seen that the UK
insurance industry has experienced more losses from flooding than Ireland. In the UK
the government and the insurance industry have recently reached agreement to
introduce a new scheme for households who are having difficulty gaining insurance
cover.
25 | P a g e
Source: Natural Catastrophes: Risk relevance and Insurance Coverage in the EU.
European Commission, Joint Research Centre Scientific Support to Financial Analysis Unit
Institute for the Protection and Security of the Citizens, September 2012.
This report also compiled insurance losses from weather related events (see Table 1).
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Table 1 Insurance losses from weather-related events in Ireland and the UK,
1990-2010
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thus
need
to
identify
those
populations
(e.g.,
poor
Geocoding is the process of converting street addresses or other locations (postal codes, city & state, airport codes,
etc.) to latitude and longitude, which can be entered into a GPS device or geographical software. Source:
http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/geocoding.html.
15 OECD, Disaster Risk Management and Risk Financing, G20 / OECD Methodological Framework, 2012. Accessed at:
http://www.oecd.org/gov/risk/G20disasterriskmanagement.pdf (page 78)
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Event
Cost
June 2012
Flood
54m
October 2011
Flood
127m
November 2009
Flood
244m
August 2008
Flood
96m
October 2004
Flood
38m
November 2002
Flood
50m
February 2002
Flood
37m
November 2000
Flood
51m
TOTAL
Flood
697m
Event
Cost
June 2012
Flood
54m
October 2011
Flood
127m
December 2010
Freeze
224m
January 2010
Freeze
297m
November 2009
Flood
244m
January 2009
Storm
16m
January 2009
Freeze
40m
August 2008
Flood
96m
October 2004
Flood
38m
November 2002
Flood
50m
February 2002
Flood
37m
December 2001
Freeze
30m
November 2000
Flood
51m
TOTAL
Weather
1304m
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Mr. Horan told the Committee that in the past decade insurers have seen more frequent
and more costly weather-related losses, not just in Ireland but globally. He indicated
that suffering the largest weather-related losses in such close succession has put
significant pressure on the property insurance market. However, he maintained that
insurers have displayed resilience and injected over 1.3 billion back into the economy
following these weather events, i.e. in pay outs following claims.
On 19 March 2013, Insurance Ireland witnesses again appeared before the Joint
Committee and gave a further breakdown of the costs above. They were Mr. Kevin
Thompson, chief executive officer, and Mr. Michael Horan, non-life insurance manager.
Mr. Thompson explained that the most serious floods have been during the previous four
years and that the resulting claims costs are as follows:
October 2011 - there was a total cost of 127 million in the Dublin region;
November 2009 - there was a cost of 244 million in the Cork and Shannon
regions; and
Insurance Ireland witnesses made known that the response of insurers after all these
flood events was to provide 24-hour helplines, alternative accommodation and
emergency funds where required. It was necessary to dry, clean, repair and restore
properties, a process which can take some months due to the time it takes properties to
dry out. However, at a later hearing Mr. Brendan Dempsey of Cork Society of St. Vincent
de Paul (SVP) claimed that flooding did not seem to him to be costing insurance
companies that much (for example, constituting less than 1% of one insurance
companys total annual payout).
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assessment. The next question that an insurance company would ask is whether the
watercourse has any flood defences. He explained that this is where Insurance Ireland
engagement with the OPW arises. The OPW is the lead State body for the coordination
and implementation of Government policy on the management of flood risk in Ireland.
The OPW is also the national authority for the implementation of the EU Directive on the
Assessment and Management of Flood Risks [2007/60/EC].
Insurance Ireland tries to understand at an overall level what areas are protected by
flood defences established by the OPW. Insurance Ireland believes that while over the
years the OPW has installed good flood defences there has been an information deficit in
communicating the information to insurance companies. The witnesses declared that
Insurance Ireland and the OPW have a shared interest to ensure that the information is
received by insurance companies so that the benefit gained from the flood defences is
maximised by those living in the protected areas. What Insurance Ireland had
communicated to the OPW is that Insurance Ireland needs to confirm the design
standards to which the flood defences are constructed. Their acceptable minimum
standard is a return period of one in 100 years.
The standard of protection to which Insurance Ireland witnesses referred to is the flood
event against which the flood defences are designed to protect an area. It is usually
expressed as the annual probability of exceeding a particular flood level, such as the 1%
(or 1 in 100) flood (defined below). The flood zones are defined thus in the Planning and
Flood Risk Management Guidelines 2009. 17 They are defined on the basis of the
probability of flooding from rivers and the sea. Because of the generally more dynamic
nature of coastal flooding compared to river flooding, a lower probability of coastal
flooding is used to define the highest-risk zone.
The Planning System and Flood Risk Management: guidelines for planning authorities, November 2009.
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government / OPW. Accessed at
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Planning/FileDownLoad,21708,en.pdf
17
36 | P a g e
a 1 in 100 (or 1%) chance of flooding in any one year from rivers
and
Zone B is at moderate risk of flooding from rivers and the sea and its outer limit
is defined by a 1 in 1,000 (or 0.1%) chance of flooding in any one year.
Zone C is the low risk area, with a less than 1 in 1000 (<0.1%) chance of
flooding from rivers, estuaries or the sea in any one year.
The definition of these zones does not, however, take account of the potential for
flooding from other sources, such as ground water or artificial drainage systems.
Flooding from these sources could occur in any of the zones and as such should always
be considered, regardless of zone.
In response to a question from Deputy Murphy about whether Insurance Ireland
compiles a blacklist, both Insurance Ireland representatives replied that this does not
occur. They assured her that underwriting decisions and pricing are matters for
individual insurance companies where they compete with each other and do not share
information. They explained that insurance companies examine issues such as the claims
history of individual properties and relevant flood models and then make individual
decisions in competing with each other for business. It is because insurance companies
operate in a very competitive market, they said, that there is such a variety of quotes
for household insurance.
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For an explanation of the procedure involved see the Central Bank of Ireland guidance available at:
http://www.centralbank.ie/regulation/industry-sectors/insurance-companies/non-life-insurancecompanies/Pages/passporting.aspx.
19 Joint Committee hearing of 19 March 2013.
18
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See Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Fourth Report of the Joint Committee:
The Management of Severe Weather Events in Ireland & Related Matters, July 2010 . Accessed at:
http://www.oireachtas.ie/documents/committees30thdail/j-envherlocgov/reports_2008/20100720.pdf.
20
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21
For further information, see the Report (final) of the Flood Policy Review Group, 2004. Accessed at:
http://www.opw.ie/media/Report%20of%20the%20Flood%20Policy%20Review%20Group.pdf
.
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The OPW had begun to develop some sample data, which it had forwarded to Insurance
Ireland, who were considering it with their members.
Deputy Humphreys proposed that the Committee write to the OPW in response to
Insurance Irelands statement about the importance of the OPW communicating reliable
information on flood defences to insurers in an easily accessible format. The Committee
agreed to undertake this course of action.
Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
42 | P a g e
Staffing deficiencies;
Given the state of the public finances and the general embargo on public sector
recruitment at the time, Insurance Ireland witnesses were concerned that these
shortcomings may not be addressed and may be exacerbated.
Insurance Ireland witnesses returned to give further evidence at another Committee
hearing on 19 March 2013. The problems identified by Insurance Ireland in the area of
flooding include:
22
Climate change;
Under-resourcing;
Lengthy planning process even for small flood defence projects; and
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range of possible
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The
storage
capacity
of
functional
floodplains
should
be
safeguarded, and works to elevate the level of a site by landraising should not
lead to a loss of flood water storage capacity. Built development should not
therefore take place on functional flood plains.
Nevertheless, the Irish Planning and Flood Risk Management Guidelines 24 published in
2009 allow development in flood risk areas in certain circumstances, using a sequential
approach.
Insurance Ireland witnesses returned to give evidence at another Committee hearing on
19 March 2013, where they elaborated on these points. Insurance Ireland believes that
the 2009 Planning Guidelines (on Flood Risk Management) are deficient and overly
complex. They stated that future availability and affordability of flood insurance were not
considered at the preparation stage. Also, the Guidelines are only advisory in nature and
planning authorities are not obliged to follow them. It believes that there needs to be a
See Scottish Planning Policy: SPP 7 : Planning and Flooding. Accessed at:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2004/02/18880/32953
24 The Planning System and Flood Risk Management: guidelines for planning authorities, November 2009. Department
of Environment, Heritage and Local Government / OPW. Accessed at:
http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Planning/FileDownLoad,21709,en.pdf
23
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focus on impact mitigation, and a flood risk management plan for all high-risk areas.
They advocated that all Flood Resources should be considered, flood risk management
plans should be properly funded and resourced and new flood risks should not be
created:
One legacy of the building boom was that many houses were built on flood
plains due to bad planning decisions. This reinforces the importance of taking
flood risk into account when zoning and planning.
The Committee noted that since the 2009 Guidelines were published, the most severe
floods have occurred almost on an annual basis. This indicates the need for a review of
these Guidelines.
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25
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excess payments may be a solution. The parties may agree that the first
10,000 of damage is not covered and;
7. The insurance industry must meet the challenge of climate change and adverse
weather conditions.
The Chairman mentioned European reports that the Irish household insurance industry is
in one of the lowest risk regions in western Europe and the insurance industry is in a
fortunate position. He concurred with Deputy Corcoran Kennedy in suggesting that
Insurance Ireland needs to show leadership and apply innovative measures and
approaches.
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at
Committee
hearing
on
19
March
2013
by
Insurance
Ireland
representatives, Mr. Kevin Thompson, Chief Executive Officer, and Mr. Michael Horan,
non-life insurance manager.
Insurance Ireland witnesses stated that it is not tenable to ask policyholders in general
to absorb the cost of losses, nor is it sustainable from an insurance business model
perspective. Insurers spread risk throughout the world through the mechanism of
reinsurance. Therefore, it is vital that insurers act prudently with regard to flooding risks
to ensure that affordable reinsurance cover is maintained for all policyholders.
The elements identified by Insurance Ireland as necessary for the sustainable provision
of insurance are:
Insurance Ireland stated that what insurers need from the OPW were:
Area maps showing the likely extent of protection offered by remedial works;
They said that Insurance Ireland and the OPW have a common interest in ensuring that
information on completed flood defences is provided to insurers.
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3.13 FLOOD DEFENCES: CALL FOR THE OPW AND THE PROPERTY
INSURANCE INDUSTRY TO CO-OPERATE ON DESIGN AND STANDARDS
Several Committee members complained to Insurance Ireland witnesses about cases of
insurance companies ignoring local authority engineers letters certifying flood defences
and declining policyholders requests for a renewal of flood cover regardless. Committee
members called for a certification process which would be accepted by insurers.
Mr. Kemp replied that what Insurance Ireland needed was not just provision of
information after the event, but involvement in the design process and agreeing
standards before the event. Underwriters decisions depended on agreement on what the
standards are in advance, both for design and construction of the flood defences. What
Insurance Ireland was suggesting is that there should be wider consultation at an earlier
stage in the design so it is agreed that what is proposed will meet an acceptable
standard. Mr. Kemp said that there will be occasions when insurers will stand over their
belief that there is a logic to underwriting decisions. But there are cases where mistakes
are made and Insurance Ireland persuades underwriters to change their opinion and to
reinstate cover or to change the terms clashing with the cover in those cases. In
addition, in areas where works have been carried out, there have been changes in the
attitudes of underwriters to insuring risks in those areas.
Mr. Thompson elaborated that Insurance Ireland are looking to the OPW to verify the
flooding defence work carried out. It is not a question of receiving a letter from an
engineer; they want to work through and fully understand the technicalities and make
sure the defences are built to the required standard. If they are, Insurance Ireland will
look to their members to incorporate this as part of their underwriting criteria. But he
admitted that it matters at an early stage and as the process evolves, they may have to
involve other agencies in the dialogue to ensure that a holistic approach is adopted. He
pointed out that insurance is only one element of the picture and reminded the
Committee of a previous Oireachtas Joint Committees report published in July 2010 in
which numerous recommendations were made, including keeping drains clear, which is
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the local councils responsibility.27 He urged that this issue be addressed as much as the
work that Insurance Ireland is doing with the OPW.
27
See Joint Committee on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Fourth Report of the Joint Committee on
The Management of Severe Weather Events in Ireland & Related Matters, July 2010. Accessed at
http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=/documents/Committees30thDail/JEnvHerLocGov/Reports_2008/20100720.pdf
55 | P a g e
Insurance Ireland witnesses told the Committee in March 2013 that the Working Group
had started its work at its first meeting in January. They need to fully understand the
technical data as presented by the OPW and put this data into a format that both parties
can understand. Once they fully understand this, they will try to incorporate it into their
industry members' underwriting criteria.
When we attended a meeting of this committee in September last year, we
were asked how a person in one of these [geo-coded] areas can get out of it.
We are working with the OPW through our flood working group. We are getting
information from the OPW on digital files that show the areas which are
protected by flood defences. Historically, insurance companies have not had
that information when they examine at-risk areas. The new data coming from
the OPW will enable them to amend their lists of at-risk areas to take account
of flood defences that have been built.
Mr. Paul Kavanagh, a claims specialist, commented on 16 April 2013 that Insurance
Ireland reported that it had been in consultation with the OPW and that this has been the
Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
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case only since January 2013. In his view, there needs to be constant and meaningful
dialogue, and that it should be published.
Deputy Kevin Humphreys referred to Mr. Kavanaghs observation that engagement
between the OPW and Insurance Ireland began to take place in January 2013 and stated
that this is a direct result of the work this Committee has done in highlighting the OPW's
work and the lack of communication.
The parties are still trying to talk the same language. The OPW operates to an
international standard applying the figures of 100, 150 and 200. Insurance
Ireland is dragging its heels regarding the acceptance of the international
standards. The talks should now be concluded. We know the international
standards and the bill design. In fairness to the OPW, it is very professional.
Where I have seen its work done, it has been to a very high standard.
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OPW when assessing flood risk in localities where such flood measures have
been completed.
The information being provided is in a readily accessible format which will show
in digital map files the areas benefiting from completed flood defence works.
The initial focus of the group's work is the provision of information on schemes
which provide protection for the one in 100 year flood. The OPW has provided
an initial batch of information to the insurance companies and the latter are
currently working on integrating this information into their own individual
operating systems. It is expected that this work will be completed shortly.
It is intended that the OPW and Insurance Ireland will agree a memorandum of
understanding to guide present and future interaction between the insurance
industry and the OPW in regard to communications around completed flood
defence works. The OPW is satisfied that the insurance industry is engaging
constructively and positively in this process and that there is a strong
willingness to co-operate on implementing a sustainable system of information
exchange.
Ultimately, it is a matter for the insurance companies themselves to decide how
they will use the information provided on completed flood defence works. As
part of the process they are committing to take the information into account in
their assessment of risk and it is to be hoped that this will facilitate the
provision of flood cover in all areas that are protected by completed schemes.
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Report of the Flood Policy Review Group, September 2004, Office of Public Works
http://www.cfram.ie/pdfs-downloads/Flood_Policy_Review_Group.pdf
29
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The CFRAM programme will inform the long-term planning of flood risk
management measures throughout the country, including structural and
constructed flood defences and non-structural measures. Both the flood maps
and the identification and outline design of flood risk management measures
under CFRAM will consider a range of potential future scenarios, including the
potential impacts of climate change, to ensure capacity for adaptation is built
into the flood risk management strategy and measures.
The output from the CFRAM programme in a recent pilot project included the
production of 1,100 maps showing flood extents, depths and velocities.
Approximately 250 km of channels were surveyed and more than 275 sq. km of
detailed flood plain modelling was carried out. This project required the
development of nine hydraulic models of the river and its tributaries and the
production of various reports, including an inception report, a strategic
environmental assessment at scoping level and final report stage, a hydrology
report and hydraulic reports. Ultimately a catchment flood risk management
plan was drawn up.
Deputy Catherine Murphy expressed a concern about the CFRAM study, which is
mapping the flood areas. She accepted that when a risk is captured in the study,
remedial works can take place. However, the Deputy was concerned that there is a risk
is that insurance companies will be given a new set of locations from the Study that they
may wish to exclude from providing cover for. This fear may not be unfounded if the
Irish experience follows the UK experience. It was reported in a United Kingdom
newspaper (the Times) that thousands of homes could lose value and become more
expensive to insure after the publication (in December 2013) of the first official maps
showing areas at risk of surface-water flooding.30
31
From December 3, the Environment Agency will make the maps available
on its website. Where there is a risk, it will be shown as high, medium or
low, equating to chances of flooding of one in 30, one in 100, and one in
1,000.
Flood maps may hit house prices, Irish Times, 15 November 2013.
It was reported in the BBC on 15 January 2014 that new maps were being made available online to the public
showing areas at risk of flooding in Scotland. See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-25743338.
30
31
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Anyone will be able to check the surface-water flood risk for an area by
typing in its postcode. At present, it is possible to search only for flood risk
posed by rivers and the sea.
About 3.8 million homes in England and Wales are at risk of surface-water
flooding, usually caused by rainwater pooling after intense downpours
because drains are blocked or cannot cope with the volume.
Many people do not realise their homes are at risk of surface-water flooding
because the threat is much less obvious than for those affected by river or
coastal flooding.
Of the 55,000 properties flooded in summer 2007 the most recent severe
and widespread floods 35,000 were affected by surface water.
Craig
Woolhouse, the
Environment
Agency's head
of flood
incident
32
Ibid.
Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
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33
34
See http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/31618.aspx
https://fwd.environment-agency.gov.uk/app/olr/home.
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Mr. ODonovan asserted that 50,000 people will note this point on their Local Property
Tax self-assessment forms. He remarked that while the insurance industry will state that
only 2% are not covered by insurance, that equates to 50,000 units.
Mr Horan, in a subsequent intervention, queried this figure:
I am not sure how the figure of 50,000 was arrived at but at our end we
think the 98% penetration rate is accurate, and is far higher than what
exists in other European countries.
Mr. ODonovan defended the figure of 50,000:
Insurance Ireland, Insurance Ireland, says that 2% is not covered. If one
looks at other information it has, that equates to 38,000. I do not know
where it got the 10,000 figure. The Irish Insurance Brokers Association
maintains that 50,000 are uninsured.
Being uninsured has nothing to do with flooding, and the figures for flooding
could be as low as less than 20,000.
Mr. Brendan Dempsey of the Cork Society of Saint Vincent de Paul told the Joint
Committee in March 2013 that approximately one fifth of property in Cork city cannot at
present be sold due to the inability of people to obtain a mortgage because they cannot
obtain insurance.
Mr. Paul Kavanagh (of the Irish Brokers Association) on 16 April 2013 introduced himself
to the Committee as a broker with over 32 years of experience on the flood plains of
Cork county and city, with a strong database on the flooding issue. He himself was
flooded in Fermoy over 20 years ago. He cited a survey by the Irish Brokers Association
of all its members in the 26 counties which combined the information with available
insurance company statistics and found that there are between 40,000 and 50,000
properties, at least, without flood cover. He said that they are trying to put a figure on it.
The estimates of uninsured households given to the Committee therefore range from
10,000 to 50,000.
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Deputy Kevin Humphreys observed that judging by the calls TDs get, the figure of 98%
policyholders having flood cover does not seem realistic to him. He believed that the
figure from the Irish Brokers Association is probably more realistic. He queried from
what period the figure of 98% was taken.
Mr. Michael Horan of Insurance Ireland replied that it was taken some 12 months
previously (i.e. in spring 2012) from their insurance company members and from their
understanding of the level of existing flood risk cover.
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36
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37
Geo directory: a directory that identifies every property in the country, developed by GeoData Surveying Limited.
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If this is the case, the Joint Committee is at a loss to understand how so much evidence
was presented of properties that had not been flooded and the property owners were still
refused cover or had their premia increased. The Joint Committee is of the view that this
issue requires a systematic investigation and calls on the Central Bank of Ireland to
conduct an inspection into this issue, using a significant sample of insurance claims, and
advise accordingly.
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38
A cartel is an explicit agreement among competing firms to fix prices or production. Cartels usually occur in an
industry where there is a small number of sellers. The aim of such collusion is to increase individual members' profits
by reducing competition.
39
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work but
that
these claims. As a
consequence, he said that the claimants end up with a shortfall of many thousands of
euro. He gave the example of one neighbourhood of 42 houses after the 2012 Cork
Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
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flooding, where the shortfall between what insurance paid out and what the builder
required ranged from 1,000 to 17,000. Mr. Dempsey told the Committee that the
Society of St. Vincent de Paul cannot afford another flood as they have a severe call on
their funds.
On 16 April 2013, Mr. amonn Downey, acting president of the Irish Claims Consultants
Association, agreed that the practice of retentions was giving rise to problems. Based on
their experience in the Cork floods in particular, he alleged that insurance companies
retain part of agreed claims settlements incorrectly and contrary to their practices
outside of Ireland. Many of the companies are headquartered outside Ireland and Mr.
Downey stated that they behave differently abroad.
One unintended effect of the retentions practice, according to Mr. Downey, is that it
appears to foster an atmosphere in which householders engage VAT-unregistered
contractors to carry out repairs, thus saving them money.
According to Mr. Downey, insurance companies used their builders' price as a measure of
indemnity or how much should be paid. They have the fall-back position that their
builders are available to carry out repairs for this price. However, the agreed rates are
not representative of the construction market and give rise to an issue that Mr. Downey
said should concern the Committee, namely, builders operating in the black market.
They attempt to use builders from panels they have set up, thereby removing the right
of choice and attempting to use a scope of works that does not represent the damage
caused. Variants of this scheme include insurers insisting on using unrealistic prices to
which they refer as agreed rates for repair work. As a former loss adjuster, Mr. Downey
spoke of his sadness at seeing them force these practices on loss adjusters, the majority
of whom are professionals. For this reason he welcomed the forthcoming whistleblower
legislation (Protected Disclosures Bill 2013)40 and hoped for the emergence of individuals
who will reveal the inside stories of insurance companies practices.
It seemed to Mr. Downey that in order to achieve more profit, companies have changed
their attitude and culture. According to him, the retention practice is not evident in
Belfast or Bristol. If loss adjusters from Belfast are sent to a major flood in Galway, the
40
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circumstances described do not arise. Retention has been introduced in this State and
Mr. Downey said that the companies are getting away with it.
In response to questions from Committee members on the issue of insurance companies
practice of retentions seeming to lead to a tendency of policyholders to use unregistered
contractors, Mr. John O'Donoghue, managing director of a claims specialist firm, clarified
this issue:
Our feeling, which is based on anecdotal evidence, is that policy holders
will use competent and registered contractors when they know they will be
compensated properly by their insurers. If they receive less than a full
indemnity at the outset, that encourages them to use unregistered
contractors. That is what Mr. Downey meant when he said it is fostered by
insurance companies. At this point, they must have a decent idea that this
is what is happening. Fewer and fewer people are coming back to claim the
retained portion of the agreed settlement. They are not coming back
because they cannot provide the documentary evidence required.
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answered all the questions honestly and disclosed all the relevant information as asked
for at that time, he is covered.
41
In correspondence with the Committee Secretariat, the Central Bank stated while they have not
conducted a themed inspection or review into the specific issue as described, the bank is aware that some
firms have included a condition in an assumptions section, or in the terms and conditions, and often the
consumer must click to confirm they understand:
41
"You are only eligible for a quote and cover if you and anyone living in the home have never been
refused insurances, had a policy cancelled by an Insurer or had any special terms, restrictions or
conditions imposed by any Insurer.
The Central Bank added that their Consumer Protection Code requires that all such terms and conditions
are made clear to the consumer.
Combined with the doctrine of uberrima fides, it would appear that if such a condition was included in an
insurance contract, failure to disclose a refusal to provide insurance could invalidate an insurance
contract, including a renewal of a contract.
Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
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weak oversight and controls over outsourced claims handling (Loss Adjusters);
The Central Bank issued an industry letter drawing the attention of insurers to the
inspections findings and emphasising the requirement to be in full compliance with the
Code when handling claims, either directly or through a third party. The Central Bank is
following up directly with the insurers inspected, and is also considering whether
enforcement action is appropriate in some cases.
On the issue of retentions, the Central Bank stated that:
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All of the insurers have a practice whereby a retention amount may be applied to
a claim settlement offer and typically the retention withheld would be between
20% and 30% of the settlement amount. In order for a retention amount to be
paid, consumers are required to provide either receipts, invoices or other proof
that the repairs have been fully completed. The Central Bank noted that 23% of
the monetary amount of all household property (water damage) claim retentions
applied by the 7 inspected insurers during 2012 were never claimed by the
consumer; and
A review of insurers policy booklets revealed that only one of the insurers clearly
describes the practice of retentions in its policy booklet. Insurers have been
requested to make clearer their policy on retentions at the time of the product
being purchased and again when a claim is instigated.
All of the insurers engaged at least one Loss Adjuster firm to settle claims on
their behalf. The review
identified
that
Loss Adjuster
firms had
issued
introductory letters to consumers which did not clearly state they were acting in
the interest of the insurer who had engaged them, or explained that the
consumer could appoint, at their own expense, a Public Loss Assessor to act on
their behalf; and
Given the number of suspected breaches of the Code, the majority of which had a
minor impact on consumers, it was evident that monitoring of Loss Adjuster firms
by some of the insurers was ineffective. Examples of suspected breaches
originating from the activities of the Loss Adjusters include the failure to inform
claimants that they act in the interest of the insurer and failure to advise
claimants that they have the right to appoint a Public Loss Assessor at their own
expense.
The Central Bank suspects that unfair settlement offers had been made in a small
number of claims which is a breach of Provision 7.15 of the Consumer Protection
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45http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/Debates%20Authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/committeetakes/ENJ2013021
200003?opendocument#D01400
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In the case of the ESB, it is apparent to farmers that the holding back of water at critical
times has contributed to serious summer flooding. They believe that water levels in
Lough Ree, Lough Allen and Lough Derg are maintained at an artificially high level.
Farmers want to know why the water levels in Lough Ree were tampered with in the
1970s and have risen by 0.6 m, which is exactly two feet. These levels were given
statutory effect in the ESB regulations for the Shannon in 1979. Mr. Silke called on
Members of the Committee to address this issue.
He advocated that the agencies make greater allowance for rain and bring the levels
back to what they used to be. If there are problems in Lough Ree with the jetties that
were built in the intervening years, farmers suggested a deal be done between the
National Parks and Wildlife Service to make provision for proper access to those jetties.
Mr. Silke submitted that the National Parks and Wildlife Service should not destroy
farmers livelihoods because it wants to get boats into a particular spot along Lough Ree.
Deputies Stanley and Coffey, in particular, echoed the concerns that the OPW does not
have the final say over what happens in many water courses because other bodies, such
as the National Parks and Wildlife Service, are responsible for them. To them it seems
problematic that the NPWS can exercise a veto on whether, for example, a sluice gate
should remain open.
Mr. Silke claimed that there was an opportunity during the dry period to allow water
down through the system, but no capacity now, and that this was the reason for summer
flooding. Two feet of capacity could have been gained. The year 2012 was said to be a
prime example when there was a dry period in March and April. If water had been
released at that time, it would have created a huge capacity for when the rain came. A
small amount of rain in the summer will flood the system. The IFA had consulted Jacobs,
the consultants involved in CFRAM, and were disappointed with their presentation as it
did not address the issue of the levels in Lough Ree. Neither had they dealt with the
feasibility of using cutaway bogs north of Lough Ree.
An ESB witness who had given evidence to the previous Committee (on 23 February
2010), (Mr. Tom Browne, engineering and technical risk manager, ESB) had proffered an
answer to the question about changes in the 1970s in a press report:
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company has no responsibility to supply flood warnings, but does issue twice-weekly
lake-level forecasts to all relevant stakeholders.
Most observers agree that the problem centres on the river channel between Athlone
and Lough Derg. The river here lacks gradient and flood waters simply spread across the
flood plain when the levels rise. However, there is also widespread belief that not enough
is being done to maintain this channel, and that authorities are slow to respond when
flooding is imminent.
At a subsequent meeting of the Committee on 23 April 2013, Mr. Tony Smyth, director
of engineering services in the OPW, responded to the point raised above by Mr. Silke:
We also have frequent meetings with Waterways Ireland and the ESB. The
Board has agreed to aim to reduce the starting water levels in Lough Ree by
100 mm at the start of the summer and to have that as its target but that will
be dependent on hydraulic conditions, rainfall, what happens on the river and
so on. We are not always in control of that because there is a limited level of
control. There are only a number of gates in Athlone that can be opened and,
therefore, at a certain point the inputs into Lough Ree overwhelm the output
and one is not in control of the level but we understand the difficulties and our
response in a sense is through the CFRAM for that, as it is for other rivers
around the country to develop proper warning
Regarding Lough Ree ... the ESB does not have complete control of water
levels. It can open a number of gates to reduce water levels somewhat, but
more enters the lake at certain times than can be released through the gates or
over the weir, leading to a rise in water levels that overwhelms the ESB's
efforts.
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after the flooding of 1954, the 1956 Rydell report 46 proposed a summer relief
scheme;
in 1961, the ESB and OPW issued a report47 which proposed much the same;
River Shannon Flood Problem, Final Report, L E Rydell, Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army, August 1956.
Accessed at: http://opac.oireachtas.ie/AWData/Library3/Library2/DL010459.pdf
47 River Shannon Flood Problem. Report on First Stage of Investigations, prepared jointly by Office of
Public Works and Electricity Supply Board. (1961)
http://opac.oireachtas.ie/AWData/Library3/Library2/DL011778.pdf
46
Report on the Technical Aspects of the River Shannon Flooding Problem for Irish Farmers Association,
Delap and Waller, May 1988.
48
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all proposed something in the line of a summer relief scheme to deal with summer
flooding.
Mr. Browne was echoing one of the key findings of the Rydell Report:
The problem of Shannon River Flooding has been the subject of much study
over the past 150 years. Because of the flat terrain through which the river
flows, the almost imperceptible gradient of the stream within its series of lakes
and connecting channels and because of the large volume of long duration of
flooding, no simple or obvious solution has therefore been found nor has the
writer now found one.
http://opac.oireachtas.ie/Data/Library3/Library2/DL026170.pdf
50 http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/media/Report.pdf
Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
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constricting legislation. One cannot just remove silt. The OPW must comply with the
body of environmental legislation put in place by the Oireachtas and the EU. Being given
powers over one aspect means that the OPW must comply with other legislation. A
process would then need to be put in place to comply with the various constraints, for
example, public expenditure, environmental law and procurement law.
The Vice Chairman questioned Mr. Smyth on the maximum spend for small local
authority schemes. Mr. Smyth responded that the limit was set by the OPW at 500,000
because they believe engineering works costing more than that would certainly have
environmental impact and should have proper environmental and cost-benefit studies
carried out. The benefit of the minor works is that the OPW has developed simplified
criteria for the cost-benefit analysis to ensure they are getting benefit for the cost but
without having to go to the rigours and expense of a full cost-benefit analysis as they do
for the major schemes. Completing a full cost-benefit analysis might run to anything
between 10,000 and 30,000. In cases where the works will cost 50,000, it does not
make sense to spend that kind of money on studies.
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51
Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and Gaeltacht. Eight proposals urgently required to tackle flooding on
the River Shannon, its tributaries and the waters feeding into it (July 2012).
Accessed at: http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/media/Report.pdf
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Text Box 2: The importance of understanding disaster risk exposures and riskbearing capacities within the economy the case of Argentina and the
agriculture sector
Argentina is a country where the agricultural sector plays an important role in the
economy. This economic dependence on farming makes the country vulnerable to
weather-related hazards and climate change impacts on weather patterns. Of particular
concern to Argentina are the potential economic impacts of adverse weather events on
small and medium producers, who may not have the financial capacity to manage
agricultural risks linked to weather patterns, particularly climate change.
Argentina has, at various levels of government, developed a range of financial
instruments intended to offset the costs of disruptive weather events, such as grant
subsidies for insurance as an instrument of social policy in rural areas (e.g., avoiding
rural-urban migration, reducing producer vulnerabilities through financial protection of
assets), tax exemptions for agricultural insurance, and reinsurance, although there are
currently no national subsidy programs. A National Committee on Farming Emergencies
and Disasters has been created whose main purpose is to manage the compensation of
farmers affected by climate, weather, seismic, volcanic or biological events.
Source: Improving the Assessment of Disaster Risks to Strengthen Financial Resilience,
Special Joint G20 Publication by the Government of Mexico and the World Bank (2012),
quoted in OECD report, op.cit.
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52
EU Habitats Directive
53
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The CFRAM programme, in the County Council view, is a very positive development, as it
will give a standard overview of the various catchments. Mr. Dunney stated that in two
or three years there will be a national menu of works that will be recommended through
the CFRAM programme. If funding can be set aside for each individual scheme as they
go down the list, it could be like the next roads programme.
The OPW is the lead agency in the CFRAM programme; each local authority in an area
would be represented on the steering group for that particular CFRAM study. Kildare
County Council sits on the steering group for south east and east, covering the Barrow
and the Liffey and all their tributaries.
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54
55
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Strategic planning to manage flood risk under the Catchment Flood Risk
Assessment and Management, CFRAM, programme in compliance with the EU
Floods Directive;
Maintenance of those arterial drainage and urban Flood Relief schemes completed
under the Arterial Drainage Acts.
Report of the Flood Policy Review Group, OPW, September 2004, accessed at:
http://www.cfram.ie/pdfs-downloads/Flood_Policy_Review_Group.pdf
56
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carried out to ensure that the States investment in these schemes continues to provide
the intended benefits. Drainage districts are areas where drainage schemes to improve
land for agricultural purposes were constructed prior to the 1945 Act. The duty of
maintenance for these lies with the local authorities concerned. For other watercourses
falling outside of the OPW and local authority areas of responsibility, private landowners
generally have responsibility for maintenance. 57
57
Letter from the OPW to the Clerk of the Committee, 25 September 2015.
Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
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Available at:
http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/Debates%20Authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail2012120500066?ope
ndocument&highlight=Stanley%20and%20flood%20relief#WRB02150WrittenAnswers.
58
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6.4 WHETHER OPW SHOULD HAVE THE FINAL SAY OVER OTHER AGENCIES?
Deputy Stanley questioned Mr. Smyth as to whether the OPW would be happy to have
the final say, that is, to give direction to other agencies involved in the management of
flood risk.
Mr. Smyth said that the Deputy was getting into a range of policy and legal issues about
which Mr. Smyth would not be comfortable in speaking. He stressed that he does not
believe anybody can overrule the OPW and he does not know that it is appropriate to
have a flood-risk management agency having a greater say in some of those other
issues. There is environmental legislation with which the OPW has to comply. The ESB
has a legal remit regarding the water levels on the Shannon at present. The OPW does
not have any evidence and have not completed proper models of the river - and will not
have until the CFRAM is completed - to make other arguments. Until that point is
reached Mr. Smyth contended they are weak on grounds of any logic, evidence or
argument they might make.
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59
http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/Debates%20Authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/committeetakes/ENJ20120925
00003?opendocument#F00300.
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FLOOD RE
In June 2013 the ABI and the UK Government agreed a Memorandum of Understanding
on how to develop a not-for-profit scheme - Flood Re - that would ensure flood insurance
remains widely affordable and available. The framework is an agreement in principle but
not binding. Its unique elements are:
Flood Re will be run and financed by insurers as a not-for-profit fund which will
cover the cost of flood claims from high risk homes;
Insurers will pass the flood risk premium element from those households deemed
to be at high risk of flooding to the fund. Premiums for the flood risk will be
Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
105 | P a g e
Flood Re would charge member firms an annual charge of 180 million. This will
be funded by a levy of 10.50 on annual household premiums and equates to the
estimated level of cross-subsidy that already exists between lower and higher
flood risk premiums;
Flood Re will be designed to fully deal with at least 99.5% of years. Even in the
worst half a per cent of years, Flood Re will cover losses up to those expected in a
1 in 200 year a year six times worse than 2007 in the UK with Government
taking responsibility to work with the industry and Flood Re to distribute any
available resources to Flood Re policyholders should claims exceed that level.
Flood insurance deal sees fears recede over future cover. The Guardian, 27 June 2013. Accessed at:
http://www.theguardian.com/money/2013/jun/27/flood-insurance-deal-industry-government
60
106 | P a g e
In Belgium, claimants can get repairs for disasters from the Caisse Nationale des
Calamits. Disasters that occur most often are natural disasters (floods, earthquakes,
discharge or overflow of public sewers, landslides and subsidence of soil). Given the
nature of the damage, compensation is rarely granted.
The National Disaster Fund makes payments on the instructions of the Federal Public
Services, FPS Economy, SMEs, Self-employed and Energy - Directorate General
Economic Potential (for agricultural disasters) and the FPS Interior Service Branch
Calamities (in case of public calamity). FPS Economy, SMEs, Middle Classes and Energy,
commonly known as the FPS Economy, is a Federal Public Service of Belgium, as is FPS
Interior.
Insurance companies compensate most common victims, and the National Disaster Fund
intervenes in very limited circumstances. This is particularly the case if goods are not
insured because of claimants financial situation (being entitled to a living wage or
equivalent financial assistance); if some of claimants assets are not covered by
insurance (crops that have not been harvested, livestock living outside the building,
land, crops, plantations); if goods do not constitute a single risk (among other property
exceeding a specified sum insured); in case of damage to public property
The Disaster Fund has no jurisdiction over the cases of damage. It only makes payments
on the order of SPF Interior (Federal Public Service) Service Branch calamities. Prior
recognition of the disaster as a public calamity is required. To compensate the victims of
a natural disaster, it is necessary that it be recognized as a 'public calamity' by the
Council of Ministers. The introduction of a claim can only start after the publication in the
Belgian Official Journal of the order of recognition. Only after that can claimants apply
for compensation from the Governor of their province.
61
107 | P a g e
This is a reinsurance company 100% owned by the French state. It is responsible for
designing, implementing and managing effective instruments to meet the coverage
needs of exceptional risks in the service of its customers and the public interest. 62 It is a
limited company with capital of 60 million, which employs 273 people. Founded in
1946, it ranks among the top 25 global reinsurers. Reinsurance activities with the
guarantee of the state are: reinsurance of risks of natural disasters; reinsurance RC ship
operators and nuclear facilities; reinsurance of outstanding risks associated with
transportation; reinsurance risk of attacks and acts of terrorism.
62
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63
Comit Europen des Assurances (CEA), now renamed Insurance Europe is the European insurance and
reinsurance federation. Website: http://www.insuranceeurope.eu/
109 | P a g e
IRELAND
110 | P a g e
Belgium
111 | P a g e
FRANCE
112 | P a g e
UK pre-2013
113 | P a g e
OECD, Op.cit.
Op.cit.
114 | P a g e
coverage of disaster risks. While there is no risk sharing with the insurance industry,
private-sector operational capacity is often used to perform such functions as marketing,
premium collection and claims handling on behalf of the government.
Guarantor: Where institutional arrangements exist, governments often explicitly
guarantee some or all of the liabilities assumed in connection with disaster risks. Such a
guarantee might arise in connection with a special purpose entity, pool or fund created
to cover catastrophic risks to ensure that it will meet all its obligations. Thus, the role of
guarantor can be combined with other risk financing or risk transfer functions provided
by the government. The guarantee may be capped, with a threshold after which losses
may be recouped against, for instance, policyholders (e.g., special premium surcharge,
reduction in claims).
Examples of each type of role are listed in Table 9, below.
115 | P a g e
Provider
Direct
Insurer
Guarantor
116 | P a g e
117 | P a g e
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The new levy was enacted under the Insurance (Amendment) Act
2011 with the intention that funds raised will be paid into the Insurance Compensation
Fund, which can be used to pay policyholders where an Irish-authorised or EUauthorised non-life insurer goes into liquidation.
It was reported66 that 65m. a year is generated by the 2% levy imposed on all non-life
insurance policies in the State in an emergency move intended to cope with the collapse
of the Quinn organisation. Mr. ODonovan stated that the Irish National Flood Forum is
asking for a proportion of this 5% Government levy be set aside for a Flood Disaster
Fund - similar to the proposal of Mr. Brendan Dempsey of the Society of Saint Vincent de
Paul - for flood victims who want to purchase flood insurance cover but are excluded
from doing so.
66
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8.6.1 TRUST FUND / LEVY FOR THE BENEFIT OF UNINSURABLE HOUSEHOLDS (NTMA)
The Committee was provided with an outline of a pilot scheme which the INFF (Irish
National Flood Forum) hoped the Committee would support. The INFF witnesses said
that the INFF proposed the establishment of a Trust Fund for a flood event to help those
who do not have flood insurance cover, funded by a levy on the insurance industry of 2
on each insured home. Based on a figure of 1.8 million homes, this would generate a
sum of 3.6 million per annum. The Fund would provide a limited payment per home, to
a maximum of 5,000 per home. This would cover the cost of replacing a refrigerator,
washing machine, cooker, beds and clothes.
Mr. ODonovan referred to a sum of 10 million announced in 2009 for a catastrophe
fund for Flood Relief. As far as the INFF could ascertain, only 1.8 million of this funding
had been spent. He and Ms. Powell are seeking to have the remaining 8 million paid to
an agency such as the National Treasury Management Agency (NTMA) and ring-fenced
for this purpose. Mr. ODonovan was here referring to the Humanitarian Assistance
Scheme set up in 2009 by the Department of Social Protection.67
In response to flooding in 2009 the Government established a Humanitarian Assistance
Scheme. The scheme, which is means tested, is intended to provide emergency financial
assistance to households who are not in a position to meet costs for essential needs in
the period immediately following flooding. The aim of the scheme is to provide financial
support to people who have suffered damages to their home and provide hardship
alleviation rather than full compensation. The Scheme covers emergency income support
payments to those in need and damage to a persons home and its basic essential
contents, such as:
Carpets;
Flooring;
Furniture; and
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Structural damage may also be considered. Not covered under this Scheme are:
Loss
or
damage
to
private
rented
accommodation
or
local
authority
accommodation.
INCOME TEST
The basic principle of the income test is to determine the households capacity to meet
the costs of restoring their home to a habitable condition. All household income will be
considered when determining entitlement to a payment.
The Irish Mail on Sunday reported on 31 March 2013 that approximately 2 million has
been paid out from this 10m Government Flood Relief fund.68
The Department of Social Protection, which administers the fund, has
granted 3,243 claims in all, at a total cost of 2,077,900. However, a
spokeswoman said the number of rejected applications could not be made
available.
In 2010, 1m was given to cover 2,100 claims (an average of 476 per
claimant), mainly in Galway and Roscommon following devastating floods the
year before.
Asked about the heavy flooding last June in Cork city and suburbs, the
spokeswoman said:
'Over 119 payments have being made to affected householders in the Cork
area to the value of 128,900, an average of 1,083.'
However, locals say most people affected by the high waters have not seen
even that small amount because the criteria are too restrictive for the average
homeowner.69
68
Flood funds unused: Only one fifth of 10m fund paid out in two years, leaving families high and dry - Irish Mail on
Sunday, 31 March 2013.
123 | P a g e
69
Ibid.
Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
124 | P a g e
He informed the
Committee that he had put a proposal to the then Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes,
whom he had met along with officials from the OPW three weeks before. He had
requested an update on the Minister of States negotiations with Insurance Ireland. He
had learned that they are not going in the direction that he would prefer, i.e. where flood
defence schemes have been completed by the OPW, insurance companies would reinstate insurance.
Deputy Daly had recently put a proposal before the Dil that a solidarity levy should be
applied to all household insurance policy holders. 70 This would differ somewhat to the
NTMA scheme outlined above (8.6.1), as he believed his was stronger. He opined that
the NTMA scheme has a number of flaws, is complicated and difficult, short-term and
unsustainable in the long term. The 8 million of unspent money referred to by its
proposers is now probably reduced to a lower sum.
Deputy Daly advocated a scheme to provide insurance to people who cannot obtain it.
He had outlined a proposal to the Minister, who agreed to examine it and suggested that
the Deputy bring it to the Committee meeting and put it on the record. He proposed a
solidarity levy that would be paid by every household that has property insurance in
order to provide cover for those who have none. According to the IFF, 98% of
households have insurance; 2% do not. If a levy of 20 per annum per household was
applied, that would generate in the region of 32 million per year.
As to what could be achieved by an annual fund of 32 million the Deputy placed it in
the context of the flooding events in 2012, in which 627 affected households claimed
15 million. This was less than 50% of the amount he proposed be made available via a
125 | P a g e
20 levy. Would people pay that levy on their household insurance? He was using this
opportunity to determine what support this proposal might have. He proposed that the
scheme be modelled on the Motor Bureau of Ireland's insurance scheme which covers
uninsured drivers. Victims of an accident that involve an uninsured driver can claim from
the Motor Bureau scheme. This scheme is funded by a levy paid by everyone who has
motor insurance. During the past ten years, approximately 700 million was claimed, or
70 million per annum.
What Deputy Daly proposed would bring in almost half that amount, 32 million. A
considerable part of the 70 million per annum was for commercial claims which the
Deputy believes should be dealt with separately. As an example, in the 2012 flood event,
the entire payout was 54 million, of which 38 million went to the commercial claims of
487 businesses, while 15 million went to 627 households. Deputy Dalys proposals also
bear similarities to the Flood Re agreement (above) between the UK government and the
Association of British Insurers. Ms Gillian Powell, of Bandon Flood Group nevertheless
made a case for including businesses and commercial policyholders, as they are the
people who pay wages.
Senator Labhrs Murch noted that he does not see how there can be a solution
unless there is a partnership between the State and the insurance industry. He gave the
example of the private health insurance sector, into which he said that the Government
had an input. For example, if he had paid private health insurance for ten or 12 years
and then got a bad run of health it is not possible for the insurance company to say it
will not continue to cover him. In the Senators view, there is no difference between that
and the situation in regard to property insurance.
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71
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For Memorandum of Understanding between Insurance Ireland and the OPW, March 2014, see
http://www.opw.ie/en/media/MoU%20Insurance Ireland-OPW%2020140324%20V1-2.pdf.
73 See PQ 18120/15, dated 12 th May 2015.
74 See PQ 17983/15, dated 7 th May 2015.
75 Ibid.
76 For information on completed OPW flood defence schemes see http://www.opw.ie/en/completed/.
77 See PQ 17983/15, dated 7 th May 2015.
Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
72
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communities throughout the country are being produced which, following public
consultation, will be made available publicly, leading to the finalisation of the maps and
the development of draft Catchment Flood Risk Management Plans.
These Plans will include an examination of all possible options to address the flood risk in
the identified locations and will recommend a set of measures to deal with and manage
the risk. Information on the structural measures arising from the CFRAM programme will
be provided to the Insurance industry in accordance with the MoU.
On 28th April 2015, when asked when the CFRAM programme would be completed, the
Minister of State at the Departments of Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform and the
Department of the Taoiseach with Special Responsibility for the OPW, Mr. Simon Harris,
T.D., stated:79
the
Catchment
Flood
Risk
Assessment
and
Management
(CFRAM)
The MoU requires the provision of data by Insurance Ireland to the OPW about areas
impacted by flood loss. The MoU will not guarantee the availability of flood risk cover in
the locations concerned. 80 In January 2015, Insurance Ireland provided some general
131 | P a g e
and provisional data to the OPW about current levels of flood cover for households and
businesses affected by the completed flood defence schemes (twelve were completed at
that time).81 While the results are tentative, the data provided to the OPW indicated
that flood risk insurance is available in areas where Flood Relief schemes have been
completed by the OPW. 82 Speaking to the Dil on 19th May 2015, 83 Minister for
Finance, Mr. Michael Noonan T.D. said:
While this report showed some improvements, it is expected that a fuller and more
detailed report on progress under the MoU will be made available to OPW after June
2015.84
I will assess the progress reported to OPW in June and will consider whether
the current approach is delivering the expected results and whether other approaches
need to be considered.
To date, the OPW has provided data in agreed formation to Insurance Ireland on 16
completed schemes, and Insurance Ireland members are committed to take this
information into account when assessing exposure to flood risk within these areas.
According to the OPW, early indications from the insurance sector are that flood risk
insurance is widely available in areas where flood relief schemes have been completed
by the OPW. It expects to receive in the near future results of a more recent survey by
Insurance Ireland on this subject.85
Ibid.
Ibid.
83 See PQ dated 19th May 2015, 19474/15.
84 When the first full renewal cycle following the MoU has been completed.
85 Letter from OPW to the Committee Clerk, 25 September 2015.
81
82
132 | P a g e
88
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and understands that this Department is
considering the proposal in the context of the provisions of the Budget and the work of
the Interdepartmental Committee that is due to report to the Government next Spring
on the Whole of Government policy measures to support the OPW's Flood Risk
Management Plans arising from the CFRAM programme.
See oral presentation by Mr. Tony Smyth, Director of Engineering Services, to the Joint Committee on
Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform, 15th April 2015. Accessed at:
http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/debateswebpack.nsf/committeetakes/FIJ
2015041500002?opendocument#C00100.
87 Ibid.
88 Letter from OPW to Committee Clerk, 25 September 2015.
86
133 | P a g e
89
Ibid.
Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
134 | P a g e
90
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-3884_en.htm.
Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
135 | P a g e
136 | P a g e
4) The OPW outlined to the Committee the considerable investment that the State
has made in the construction of flood defences and that the insurance industry
has benefited considerably from this through reduced claims payment costs for
flooding. However, representatives of the insurance industry submitted that more
Government investment in structural defences is needed to preserve flood
insurance in high-risk areas, and that current levels of implementation of flood
defences need to improve.
The Committee would urge sustained levels of State investment in flood defences
and river maintenance in vulnerable areas. In particular, investment is required
to ensure an effective river maintenance programme on the Shannon; to remove
the impediments in the Shannon and try to reduce water levels to the lowest level
consistent with navigation purposes so that the river is able to take additional
water at critical times; put in place an effective flood warning system; and carry
out essential maintenance work on the Shannon, including removal of silt and
trees.
Such funding such should be carefully targeted in accordance with the findings,
recommendations and priorities set out in the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment
and Management Programme currently being conducted by the OPW.
5) The Committee considers it necessary to extend nationwide the successful flood
warning systems operated by some local authorities. In the UK, for example, a
Floodline is in operation with a website and phone number which gives local and
national flood warnings. This is managed by their Environment Agency and
available on their website. The Floodline phone number is available on weather
forecasts. The Committee therefore welcomes the proposal from the OPW in
conjunction with Met ireann to introduce a new interim National Flood
Forecasting Service as the first stage in the implementation of a full national flood
forecasting service.
137 | P a g e
6) An issue that came to light during the hearings was the wish of the insurance
industry for more information exchange and co-operation between the industry
and the State authorities on flood mapping and on the design of Flood
Remediation works. On the initiative of the Joint Committee, a Working Group
was established with the objective of:
a. matching the insurance industrys priority areas with State planning for
Flood Remediation works; and
b. informing the industry of the technical standards of the State works so
that insurance underwriters can take this into account in assessing risks.
A Memorandum of Understanding between Insurance Ireland and the OPW was
signed in March 2014, agreeing a basis on which information can be provided to
the insurance industry on Flood Relief schemes completed by the OPW in relation
to areas impacted by flood loss. It commits insurers to take full account of
information provided by the OPW on completed flood defence schemes when
assessing exposure to flood risk.
Our ambition is that this will lead to the inclusion of properties that were
previously excluded from insurance and to the reduction of premiums to more
affordable levels. The Committee welcomes enhanced co-operation between the
insurance industry and State authorities, but the public needs to know that
defence works, once completed, are having an impact on premiums and the
insurance products being offered to customers. Early indications from the
insurance sector are that flood risk insurance is widely available in areas where
flood relief schemes have been completed by the OPW.
138 | P a g e
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140 | P a g e
141 | P a g e
142 | P a g e
be
entered
into
GPS
device
or
geographical
software.
Source:
http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/geocoding.html.
GPS: Global Positioning System (GPS) is a technology that uses the position of satellites
to determine locations on earth. GPS can calculate the longitude and latitude of locations
and transmit this information to a receiver, which enables the person using GPS to
correctly locate destinations.
IFA - Irish Farmers Association www.ifa.ie
Loss Adjuster: A professional who is appointed by insurance companies to investigate
the circumstances of a claim under an insurance policy and to advise on the amount that
is payable to the policyholder in order to settle that claim. Loss adjusters are generally
appointed by insurance underwriters.
Market Failure: When a market left to itself does not allocate resources efficiently.
Interventionist politicians usually allege market failure to justify their interventions.
Economists have identified four main sorts or causes of market failure.
The abuse of MARKET POWER, which can occur whenever a single buyer or seller can
exert significant influence over PRICES or OUTPUT (see MONOPOLY and MONOPSONY).
EXTERNALITIES - when the market does not take into account the impact of an
economic activity on outsiders. For example, the market may ignore the costs imposed
on outsiders by a firm polluting the environment.
PUBLIC GOODS, such as national defence. How much defence would be provided if it
were left to the market?
Where there is incomplete or ASYMMETRIC INFORMATION or uncertainty.
143 | P a g e
Abuse of market power is best tackled through ANTITRUST policy. Externalities can be
reduced through REGULATION, a tax or subsidy, or by using property rights to force the
market to take into account the WELFARE of all who are affected by an economic
activity. The SUPPLY of public goods can be ensured by compelling everybody to pay for
them through the tax system.
Source: http://www.economist.com/economics-a-to-z
Moral Hazard: One of two main sorts of market failure often associated with the
provision of insurance. The other is adverse selection. Moral hazard means that people
with insurance may take greater risks than they would do without it because they know
they are protected, so the insurer may get more claims than it bargained for.
Source: http://www.economist.com/economics-a-to-z
NPWS (National Parks and Wildlife Service) http://www.npws.ie
OPW (Office of Public Works)
In September 2004 (following the Report of the Flood Policy Review Group), the
Government confirmed the Office of Public Works as the State's lead agency to
implement future policy, and to be tasked with delivering an integrated multifaceted
programme aimed at mitigating future flood risk and impact.
The OPW provides the following useful Web sites about flooding:
http://www.opw.ie/en/floodriskmanagement/
http://www.flooding.ie/
http://www.cfram.ie/
Public Loss Assessors: professionals who assist insurance claimants to claim from
insurance companies (engaged by claimants), not to be confused with the insurance Loss
Adjusters.
144 | P a g e
Reinsurance: Insurance protection bought by an insurer to limit its own exposure. The
availability of reinsurance protection allows an insurer to expand its own capacity to take
on risk. Without a reinsurance facility, each insurer would be able to accept less
business.
SME Small and Medium Enterprises
SVP - Cork Society of Saint Vincent de Paul
145 | P a g e
146 | P a g e
26 March 2013
Kildare County Council
Michael Malone, County Manager;
Mr. Alan Dunney, Senior Executive Engineer;
Mr. Joe Boland, Director of Services for water services and the environment.
Official Report | Video
16 April 2013
Irish Claims Consultants Association:
Mr. amonn Downey, acting president.
Owens McCarthy, claims specialists:
Mr. John O'Donoghue, managing director
McCarthy Insurance Group:
Mr. Paul Kavanagh.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul (Cork):
Mr. Brendan Dempsey.
Official Report | Video
23 April 2013
Office of Public Works
Tony Smyth, Director of Engineering Services;
Liam Basquille, Principal in Engineering Services.
Official Report | Video
147 | P a g e
With effect from Tuesday, 19th June, 2012 the following committee was established:
Select Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
Departments within the remit of the select committee
With effect from Tuesday, 19th June, 2012 the following committee was established:
Select Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
Departments within the remit of the select committee
148 | P a g e
(1)
(a) such aspects of the expenditure, administration and policy of the relevant
Government Department or Departments and associated public bodies as the
Committee may select, and
(b) European Union matters within the remit of the relevant Department or
Departments.
(2)
The Select Committee may be joined with a Select Committee appointed by Seanad
ireann to form a Joint Committee for the purposes of the functions set out below, other
than at paragraph (3), and to report thereon to both Houses of the Oireachtas.
(3)
Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), the Select Committee shall
The Joint Committee may consider the following matters in respect of the relevant
Department or Departments and associated public bodies, and report thereon to both
Houses of the Oireachtas
(a) matters of policy for which the Minister is officially responsible,
(b) public affairs administered by the Department,
(c) policy issues arising from Value for Money and Policy Reviews conducted or
commissioned by the Department,
(d) Government policy in respect of bodies under the aegis of the Department,
149 | P a g e
(e) policy issues concerning bodies which are partly or wholly funded by the State or
which are established or appointed by a member of the Government or the Oireachtas,
(f) the general scheme or draft heads of any Bill published by the Minister,
(g) statutory instruments, including those laid or laid in draft before either House or
both Houses and those made under the European Communities Acts 1972 to 2009,
(h) strategy statements laid before either or both Houses of the Oireachtas pursuant to
the Public Service Management Act 1997,
(i) annual reports or annual reports and accounts, required by law, and laid before
either or both Houses of the Oireachtas, of the Department or bodies referred to in
paragraph (4)(d) and (e) and the overall operational results, statements of strategy
and corporate plans of such bodies, and
(j) such other matters as may be referred to it by the Dil and/or Seanad from time to
time.
(5) Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (1), the Joint Committee shall
consider, in respect of the relevant Department or Departments
(a) EU draft legislative acts standing referred to the Select Committee under Standing
Order 105, including the compliance of such acts with the principle of subsidiarity,
(b) other proposals for EU legislation and related policy issues, including programmes
and guidelines prepared by the European Commission as a basis of possible legislative
action,
(c) non-legislative documents published by any EU institution in relation to EU policy
matters, and
(d) matters listed for consideration on the agenda for meetings of the relevant EU
Council of Ministers and the outcome of such meetings.
(6) A sub-Committee stands established in respect of each Department within the remit
of the Select Committee to consider the matters outlined in paragraph (3), and the
following arrangements apply to such sub-Committees
(a) the matters outlined in paragraph (3) which require referral to the Select
Committee by the Dil may be referred directly to such sub-Committees, and
(b) each such sub-Committee has the powers defined in Standing Order 83(1) and (2)
and may report directly to the Dil, including by way of Message under Standing Order
87.
Joint Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht
150 | P a g e
(7) The Chairman of the Joint Committee, who shall be a member of Dil ireann, shall
also be the Chairman of the Select Committee and of any sub-Committee or Committees
standing established in respect of the Select Committee.
(8) The following may attend meetings of the Select or Joint Committee, for the purposes
of the functions set out in paragraph (5) and may take part in proceedings without
having a right to vote or to move motions and amendments
(a) Members of the European Parliament elected from constituencies in Ireland,
including Northern Ireland,
(b) Members of the Irish delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of
Europe, and
(c) at the invitation of the Committee, other Members of the European Parliament.
151 | P a g e
(1) The Joint Committee may only consider such matters, engage in such activities,
exercise such powers and discharge such functions as are specifically authorised under
its orders of reference and under Standing Orders.
(2)
Such matters, activities, powers and functions shall be relevant to, and shall arise
only in the context of, the preparation of a report to the Dil and/or Seanad.
(3) It shall be an instruction to all Select Committees to which Bills are referred that they
shall ensure that not more than two Select Committees shall meet to consider a Bill on
any given day, unless the Dil, after due notice given by the Chairman of the Select
Committee, waives this instruction on motion made by the Taoiseach pursuant to Dil
Standing Order 26. The Chairmen of Select Committees shall have responsibility for
compliance with this instruction.
(4) The Joint Committee shall not consider any matter which is being considered, or of
which notice has been given of a proposal to consider, by the Committee of Public
Accounts pursuant to Dil Standing Order 163 and/or the Comptroller and Auditor
General (Amendment) Act 1993.
(5) The Joint Committee shall refrain from inquiring into in public session or publishing
confidential information regarding any matter if so requested, for stated reasons given in
writing, by
(a) a member of the Government or a Minister of State, or
(b) the principal office-holder of a body under the aegis of a Department or which is
partly or wholly funded by the State or established or appointed by a member of the
Government or by the Oireachtas:
Provided that the Chairman may appeal any such request made to the Ceann Comhairle
/ Cathaoirleach whose decision shall be final.
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Deputies
Mr James Bannon TD (Fine Gael)
Mr Noel Coonan TD (Fine Gael) Leas-Chathaoirleach (Vice Chairman)
Ms Ruth Coppinger TD (Socialist Party)
Mr Barry Cowen TD (Fianna Fil)
Mr Robert Dowds TD (Labour)
Mr Eamonn Maloney TD (Labour)
Mr Michael Mc Carthy TD (Labour) Cathaoirleach (Chairman)
Ms Helen McEntee TD (Fine Gael)
Mr Tony Mc Loughlin TD (Fine Gael)
Ms Michelle Mulherin TD (Fine Gael)
Ms Catherine Murphy TD (Independent)
Mr Fergus ODowd TD (Fine Gael)
An t-Uasal Sen Fearghal TD (Fianna Fil)
Mr Brian Stanley TD (Sinn Fin)
An t-Uasal Peadar Tibn TD (Sinn Fin)
Senators
Senator Terry Brennan (Fine Gael)
Senator Cit Keane (Fine Gael)
Senator Denis Landy (Labour)
An Seanadir Fiach Mac Conghail (Neamhsplech) (Independent)
An Seanadir Labhrs Murch (Fianna Fil)
Senator Ned OSullivan (Fianna Fil)
154 | P a g e
Notes
1. Deputies appointed to the Committee by order of the Dil on 12 June 2012
2. Senators appointed to the Committee by order of the Seanad on 14 June 2012
3. Deputy Ciarn Lynch elected as Cathaoirleach on 19 June 2012
4. Deputy Noel Coonan elected as Leas-Chathaoirleach on 19 June 2012
5. Deputy Barry Cowen replaced Deputy Niall Collins by Order of the Dil on 19 July
2012
6. An Teachta Sen Fearghal replaced Deputy Robert Troy by Order of the Dil on 19
July 2012
7. Deputy Michael Mc Carthy replaced Deputy Ciarn Lynch by Order of the Dil on 10
October 2012
8. Deputy Michael Mc Carthy elected as Cathaoirleach on 16 October 2012
9. Deputy Michael Colreavy replaced Deputy Sandra McLellan by Order of the Dil on 17
January 2013
10. Deputy Peadar Tibn replaced Deputy Michael Colreavy by Order of the Dil on 22
January 2013
11. Senator Pat ONeill replaced Senator Catherine Noone by Order of the Seanad on 19
July 2013
12. Senator Hildegarde Naughton replaced Senator Pat ONeill by Order of the Seanad on
26 September 2013
13. Deputy Ruth Coppinger replaced Deputy Luke Ming Flanagan by Order of the Dil on
11 June 2014
14. Deputy Robert Dowds replaced Deputy Kevin Humphreys by Order of the Dil on 17
July 2014
15. Deputy Eamonn Maloney replaced Deputy Gerald Nash by Order of the Dil on 17
July 2014
16. Deputy Fergus ODowd replaced Deputy Paudie Coffey by Order of the Dil on 2
December 2014
17. Senator Terry Brennan replaced Senator Hildegarde Naughton by Order of the
Seanad on 2 December 2014
18. Deputy Helen McEntee replaced Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy by Order of the
Dil on 26 February 2015
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Notes
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