Cost of insurance crippling charities and festivals

The “legal extortion” of crippling insurance premiums is threatening the existence of Ireland’s social fabric, including farmers’ marts, festivals and community celebrations, GAA clubs, and even children’s charities.

That was the bleak picture painted by a wide range of business and community leaders at the Oireachtas finance committee, who implored lawmakers to step up and resolve the crisis.

The committee heard: