Burton calls for balance between insurance cover for flood areas and good value

The Tánaiste says solutions for providing insurance for properties at risk of flooding are being worked on.

Joan Burton along with the Taoiseach and other Ministers met members of the industry today, over refusals to provide cover for areas where flood defences have been installed.

Representatives from the insurance sector have been asked to reflect on the current level of insurance provided in areas where flood protection works have taken place, and also to look at their approach to removable flood defences.

A levy on all insurance policies is also being considered - though the Government doesn't favour such a move.

Joan Burton says they need to strike a balance between getting insurance companies to provide cover for flooded areas, as well as good value policies for others.

"What the families want are solutions and that's what we want to focus on, at this stage I'm not going to pre-judge but of course that mechanism has been used on several occasions in Ireland.

"What we don't want to see is a general rise in everybody's insurance premium, but at the same time, no absolute certainty that that would result in additional cover or at cover available at fair price to people who may be at risk to flooding."