asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism if he will immediately investigate the circumstances whereby the future of some sporting organisations is being threatened because of massive increases in their public liability insurance; and if he will investigate the case of Bol Chumann na hÉireann whose public liability insurance was increased from £634 to £12,000 by Church & General Accident Insurance Company.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sporting Organisations' Insurance Liability
10.
If the Deputy has details of particular organisations facing current difficulties with public liability insurance, I will have the matter investigated if he gives these details to my Department or to me. As far as the particular body referred to by the Deputy is concerned, I believe that the sporting body accepted the quote, which works out at an annual cost of £4.50 per member, and that the insurance cover involved has been extended considerably to include not only the central sporting body, but affiliated clubs and individual members.
It is obvious from the Minister of State's reply that there is a conflict of views between the body referred to and the insurance company. Is any arbitration group available to sit on disputed claims such as this? If not, will the Minister of State consider setting one up?
I am not aware of any major problems with regard to the organisation Bol Chumann na hÉireann who have a great tradition in a certain county in this country, but I am aware of certain claims outstanding against the central body. I do not think it necessary to take the steps suggested by the Deputy. It is not my responsibility to force the insurance companies to cover any risk, and in certain sports one must admit that there are risks. However, I am satisfied that the insurance now enjoyed by that organisation is reasonable in the context of the sport itself.
The Minister of State in his reply has concentrated on the second part of the question. The first part refers to a number of sporting organisations, not specifically one. I am asking the Minister of State if he will as a matter of urgency investigate the outstanding problems that groups such as these have.
I am aware of some sporting organisations which Deputy Allen brought to the notice of my Department and I understand that they may have resolved their problems. I cannot say to the Deputy that the insurance cover for these sporting organisations will be cheap. Insurance must reflect the risks involved and one must accept that certain sports are dangerous. Therefore, in this regard one must realise that insurance companies have a responsibility to ensure that the cover they give is paid for in a reasonable fashion.
The Minister has indicated that the increase in the premiums resulted from increased risks.
A question.
The insurance industry recently has identified factors that have led to premium increases. Would the Minister of State consider setting up an inter-departmental body to look at all these factors affecting insurance premiums?
No, I do not think that such a procedure is necessary. As I have repeated on a number of occasions in this House, if people, organisations or businesses are having difficulty in relation to insurance, their problem should be brought to the notice of my Department where it will be examined fully.